Motor vehicle with optimized approach for extinguishing battery fires

Abstract

Motor vehicle (10) with an access region (32) for extinguishing a battery fire (52), the motor vehicle (10) comprising: a high-voltage battery (12) with a battery housing (14) and at least one battery cell; a containing region (30) in which the high-voltage battery (12) is accommodated; a side wall (16, 20, 22, 24) which delimits the containing region (30) in one direction; an access region (32) which is positioned in the side wall (16, 20, 22, 24), through which an extinguishing device (26, 42) can be inserted at least partially into the containing region (30) from a side of the side wall (16, 20, 22, 24) which is remote from the high-voltage battery (12). The containing region (30) has at least one defined dead zone (34) which is assigned to the access region (32), in which no battery cell is arranged, the access region (32) being positioned and configured such that the extinguishing device (26, 42) which is at least partially guided through the access region (32) can only be inserted into the assigned dead zone (34).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle having an access area for extinguishing a battery fire, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a high-voltage battery and an accommodation area in which the high-voltage battery is accommodated, the high-voltage battery having a battery housing and at least one battery module with at least one battery cell arranged in the battery housing. Furthermore, the motor vehicle has a side wall which delimits the accommodation area in at least one direction and an access area which is positioned in the side wall and is designed such that a fire extinguishing device, in particular a fire extinguishing lance, can be at least partially inserted into the accommodation area through the access area from a side of the side wall which is remote from the high-voltage battery. BACKGROUND

[0002] The invention relates to the field of high-voltage batteries, in particular for operating motor vehicles, for example electric vehicles and / or hybrid vehicles. In such high-voltage batteries, so-called thermal propagation, that is to say the propagation of heat, can occur, for example in the event of an accident. Here, this propagation of heat of the battery cells initially manifests itself in a temperature increase in the battery cells, which, without countermeasures, usually develops into a fire or an explosion. According to the current state of the art, such a battery fire can be extinguished by a firefighter with the aid of a so-called fire extinguishing lance. Typically, the fire extinguishing lance is then pushed into the battery from above through the vehicle floor and the battery is flooded with extinguishing agent.

[0003] In this connection, for example, the patent document DE 10 2018 222 429 A1 describes an electrically operated vehicle having a traction battery arranged below a vehicle floor, wherein at least one fire extinguishing lance inlet is configured in a floor element forming the vehicle floor, through which a fire extinguishing lance can be pushed from above into the interior of the battery below the vehicle for flooding the battery interior with extinguishing agent in the event of a traction battery fire. Here, in order to see the position of the fire extinguishing lance inlet which is located below the floor lining in a line-of-sight-protected manner, a fire extinguishing lance model is provided which can be positioned exactly in position on the floor lining of the vehicle in the event of a fire.

[0004] Furthermore, the patent document DE 10 2016 224 473 A1 describes a system for a vehicle, the system having an outer wall with an opening provided with a closure element. The opening is accessible from the outside, wherein extinguishing liquid can be filled into an interior which is surrounded by the outer wall and in which an energy accumulator is located through the opened opening.

[0005] The extinguishing of a burning high-voltage battery by means of a fire extinguishing lance entails a plurality of risks at this time. On the one hand, the fire fighters must be specially trained in the use of such a fire extinguishing lance. Despite this, errors often occur at present when extinguishing fires using such a fire extinguishing lance. In particular, the greatest risk exists when high-voltage is present on the vehicle. The accessibility of the introduction of such a fire extinguishing lance into the corresponding access region also has room for optimization. SUMMARY

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present application to provide a motor vehicle which realizes an access region for extinguishing a battery fire in a manner as safe as possible.

[0007] This object is achieved by a motor vehicle having the features according to claim 1. The subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the figures are advantageous design solutions of the present application.

[0008] The motor vehicle according to the application having an access region for extinguishing a battery fire has a high-voltage battery and an accommodation region accommodating the high-voltage battery, the high-voltage battery having a battery housing and at least one battery module with at least one battery cell arranged in the battery housing. Furthermore, the motor vehicle has a side wall delimiting the accommodation region in at least one direction and an access region, the access region being positioned in the side wall and being designed such that a fire extinguishing device, in particular a fire extinguishing lance, can be inserted at least partially into the accommodation region through the access region from a side of the side wall facing away from the high-voltage battery. Here, the accommodation region has at least one defined dead zone assigned to the access region which is free of battery cells, wherein at least one battery cell is arranged in a region of the accommodation region which is different from the dead zone, and wherein the access region is positioned and configured such that a fire extinguishing device which is at least partially guided through the access region can only be inserted into the assigned dead zone.

[0009] Therefore, the dead zone is defined such that, at least when the high-voltage battery and the side wall are not deformed and the high-voltage battery is in its regular position in the accommodation region, no battery cell, in particular no battery cell of the high-voltage battery, is present in the dead zone. In other words, the definition of the arrangement of the dead zone is directed to the initial state in which the high-voltage battery is arranged in the accommodation region. Furthermore, it is not necessary to specify the dead zone here, but it is also possible to merely define a spatial region in which at least no battery cell is arranged, for example a free spatial region. That is to say, the dead zone generally represents a battery cell-free spatial region of the accommodation region. Therefore, if a fire extinguishing device, for example a fire extinguishing lance, is inserted into the accommodation region through the access region arranged and configured according to the application, it is ensured that such a fire extinguishing lance does not puncture or otherwise damage a battery cell. Thereby, the risk when inserting the fire extinguishing lance by a rescue worker can be significantly reduced, and thereby also the possibility of a high pressure occurring on the vehicle body can be significantly reduced. In particular when the battery fire has not yet continued to spread, the possibility of a still intact battery cell also spreading thermally or exploding due to damage by the fire extinguishing lance can also be significantly reduced. Furthermore, since the high-voltage battery in a motor vehicle is generally located in a region that is particularly protected (which is additionally protected by a crash structure), the possibility of a significant movement between the access region and the associated dead zone in the event of an accident is low, so that in all possible damage situations of the motor vehicle it is also ensured that no additional damage to a battery cell occurs when inserting the fire extinguishing lance through the access region.

[0010] Possible configuration options of the access region, by means of which it can be achieved that the fire extinguishing lance can only be inserted into a battery cell-free space, i.e. into the dead zone, will also be described in detail later. By way of example, the access region can be designed as an opening with a funnel-shaped, constricting guide element in the direction of the accommodation region, which purposefully guides the fire extinguishing lance into the dead zone upon insertion. In this example, the dead zone comprises the spatial region next to the funnel-shaped guide element in the insertion direction. However, the access region can also simply be designed as a sufficiently narrow opening, so that upon insertion the fire extinguishing lance has little play, in particular so that the play of the part of the fire extinguishing lance that is guided through the opening is limited to the dead zone. In this example, the dead zone comprises the spatial region next to the opening in the insertion direction.

[0011] Preferably, the high-voltage battery is designed here with a plurality of battery modules, wherein each of the plurality of battery modules in turn preferably has a plurality of battery cells, for example lithium-ion cells. In the context of the present application, the fire extinguishing device is preferably understood to be a fire extinguishing lance, or a similar, elongate, tubular or approximately tubular fire extinguishing device. Here, the fire extinguishing lance is a fire extinguishing tool or fire extinguishing device that is usually used by firefighters to extinguish high-voltage battery fires. Such a fire extinguishing device is usually designed as a standard steel tube. Usually, such a fire extinguishing lance has a tip and has a hole in the tube through which a fire extinguishing agent, usually water, can come out.

[0012] The access region can be designed in different ways. For example, the access region can be provided by an opening, in particular a closable or closed opening, in the form of a theoretical breaking point, a material weakening, etc. Particularly advantageous design variants of such an access region are explained in detail later. Furthermore, it can be provided that the motor vehicle does not have just one such access region, but rather a plurality. In this case, the plurality of such access regions do not necessarily have to be positioned in the same side wall, but can also be arranged in different side walls next to the accommodation region. A great advantage of providing a plurality of such access regions is that the possibility of access to at least one of these access regions by a firefighter with the aid of a fire extinguishing lance can thereby be improved.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferred that the motor vehicle has a motor vehicle floor adjoining the accommodation region, wherein the high-voltage battery is arranged below and spaced apart from the motor vehicle floor, such that a gap exists between the high-voltage battery and the vehicle floor. The concept "below" and subsequently also the directional indications, such as "above", "below", "on top of" and "under", etc., used hereinafter are relative to the direction of the force of gravity in the motor vehicle, which is oriented with its vehicle vertical axis parallel to the direction of the force of gravity, such that the vehicle vertical axis, which points in the direction of the vehicle roof from the vehicle floor, is opposite the force of gravity. In this region, that is to say below the vehicle floor, there is a lot of construction space for installing a large number of battery modules here. Furthermore, the battery modules or the high-voltage battery in general can be protected by the side sills of the motor vehicle with integrated crash structures.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the application, the approach region is thus positioned and configured such that the fire extinguishing device, in particular the fire extinguishing lance, which is at least partially guided through the approach region, opens into the gap, wherein the dead zone is arranged completely outside the battery housing. Thereby, the gap between the high-voltage battery and the vehicle floor or the cooling with fire water can advantageously be extinguished. This in turn has the great advantage that the vehicle floor can additionally be cooled thereby. This is based on the insight that the main cause of personal injury in the event of a battery fire is the very rapid jump of the high temperatures in the event of a battery fire onto the vehicle floor and the subsequent ignition of the carpet, which is usually arranged on the vehicle floor in the passenger compartment. Now, by means of this advantageous design, the air gap between the vehicle underfloor and the high-voltage battery can be flooded in the event of a fire, that is to say in the event of a battery fire, and the vehicle underfloor, in short the vehicle floor, can advantageously be cooled, whereby the overheating of the vehicle floor can be avoided or at least postponed in time, whereby additional escape time for the occupants can be created. By means of the dead zone being completely outside the battery housing in this case, that is to say the fire extinguishing device, in particular the fire extinguishing lance, cannot at all extend into the battery housing when passing through the approach region, it is advantageously also ensured that the fire extinguishing lance cannot at all come into contact with the battery cells. Thereby, the fire extinguishing process is particularly safe. For example, if the fire extinguishing lance is to be prevented from piercing the battery housing and in turn extending into the battery in the event of the high-voltage battery or the battery housing being located in the insertion direction of the insertion of the fire extinguishing lance, the battery housing as a whole or at least in the region behind the approach region in the insertion direction is designed to be correspondingly robust in order to prevent the piercing of the housing in this region by means of the fire extinguishing lance.

[0015] It is also possible, however, to arrange the access region in such a way that a penetration into the battery is also achieved. Accordingly, a further advantageous embodiment of the application is that the dead zone is arranged at least partially within the battery housing. This has the significant advantage that the high-voltage battery housing can be flooded and is not only flushable with fire-fighting water. As a result, a very good fire extinguishing is achieved. In this case, however, it can also be ensured by a suitable positioning and configuration of the access region that the fire extinguishing lance also penetrates into the dead zone, i.e. into a region of the high-voltage battery or its housing in which no battery cells are arranged. Here, it is particularly advantageous to arrange such a dead zone near a side wall of the high-voltage battery which is not the high-voltage battery bottom. The reason for this is that the battery modules are usually arranged directly on the housing bottom, for example during normal operation, and the cooling of the battery modules is also provided by the housing bottom. In contrast, there is a space between the upper side of the battery modules and the housing cover which is suitable for inserting the fire extinguishing lance. In the region of the side wall, i.e. near the side wall of the battery housing which is arranged between the housing cover and the housing bottom, there is usually a space in which no battery cells are arranged and which is therefore suitable for inserting the fire extinguishing lance. For example, the dead zone can also be positioned in such a way that it is located between two battery modules. For example, a defined free region can also be provided in the high-voltage battery within the battery housing for achieving a risk-free penetration of the fire extinguishing lance into this region, which accordingly constitutes the dead zone. Thus, the safe penetration of the fire extinguishing lance can be combined with an especially effective high-voltage battery extinguishing.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the application, the side wall is at least a part of the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle. For example, the access region can be arranged under the carpet in the interior space of the motor vehicle, which has the advantage that the access region hardly affects the appearance and also has no risk of being "spoiled" from the outside, since the access region is protected from unauthorized access. Furthermore, a further advantage is that the gap between the upper side of the high-voltage battery and the lower side of the vehicle floor is particularly easily and almost fail-safe accessible in this position. Here, no guide element is required, for example, which will be explained in detail later. If the penetration of the fire extinguishing lance into the battery housing is to be prevented, the housing cover can simply be designed accordingly robust. If, on the other hand, the fire extinguishing lance guided through the vehicle floor is also to penetrate into the battery housing, the battery housing cover located below can be designed accordingly thin-walled or have openings, theoretical breaking points or similar material weakening. Accordingly, the dead zone is again arranged in such a way that it opens, for example, between two battery modules, so that a damage to the battery cells can be avoided.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the application, the side wall is different from the vehicle floor, wherein the access region is arranged in a side sill region of a side sill of the motor vehicle, or in a wheel house or in a wheel arch, or in a coupling region which directly follows the side sill region in the vehicle vertical and which is located below the vehicle door of the motor vehicle in the vehicle vertical. This advantageously enables lateral insertion of the fire extinguishing lance. This has the great advantage that it is not necessarily necessary to access the interior of the vehicle in order to insert the fire extinguishing lance. It is precisely in the case of more serious accidents, for example when the vehicle door is deformed, that it is not always possible to access the interior of the motor vehicle. It is also often necessary to go to the motor vehicle in order to gain access to the interior of the motor vehicle, which in turn represents an additional risk for the rescue personnel. By this possibility of lateral insertion of the fire extinguishing lance, which is provided by positioning the access region in the side sill region or in the coupling region, it is achieved that the fire extinguishing lance can be inserted from outside the motor vehicle, which increases the probability that such an access region can actually be accessed in the event of an accident of the motor vehicle, and which increases the safety for the rescue personnel.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the application, the access region is positioned in the side sill region or in the coupling region or in the wheel house or in the wheel arch, and is designed in such a way that the fire extinguishing device, in particular the fire extinguishing lance, which is at least partially guided through the access region, can be inserted into the accommodation region in a guide direction which is at an angle of more than zero, in particular more than 20 degrees, to the vehicle transverse axis. In other words, in this example the fire extinguishing lance is not inserted into the access region parallel to the vehicle transverse axis, but is inserted obliquely from the side, so that the guide direction in which the lance is inserted is likewise not parallel to the vehicle transverse axis, but is at an angle of more than 20 degrees, preferably still more. This has the advantage that the rescue personnel can be located, for example, behind the rear of the vehicle or in front of the front of the vehicle, and the fire extinguishing lance can be inserted obliquely into the accommodation region, while at the same time a greater safety distance from the battery fire can be provided. Thereby, even when the battery fire has already spread very far, it is still possible to insert the fire extinguishing lance from a safe distance and thereby to extinguish the battery fire. Furthermore, the angled insertion with respect to the vehicle transverse axis advantageously also enables the access region to be provided in the wheel house or in the wheel arch. Here, this can be the wheel house for the front wheels of the motor vehicle and / or the wheel house for the rear wheels of the motor vehicle. Here, the access region is located in the wall of the wheel house which faces the accommodation region. By the wheel house partially shielding the wheel, it is still possible to enter the wheel house at an angle and thereby to reach the accommodation region with the fire extinguishing device and, if necessary, the battery housing.

[0019] Nevertheless, it is also conceivable for the access region to be positioned and configured in such a way that it is possible to insert the fire extinguishing device, in particular the fire extinguishing lance, also parallel to the vehicle transverse direction or the vehicle transverse axis, if necessary at an angle with respect to the horizontal, in particular when the access region is provided not in the wheel house.

[0020] In a further advantageous design of the application, the access region provides the passage opening with a guide element which is designed to guide the fire extinguishing device, in particular the fire extinguishing lance, inserted into the passage opening into a defined directional range. Such a guide element is particularly advantageous precisely when the access region is not located in the vehicle floor, but for example in the side sill region or in the wheelhouse or in the coupling region defined above. By means of this design of the access region, it can advantageously be ensured that even if the entry opening of the passage opening is so large that the fire extinguishing lance has a clearance in it at least initially, the fire extinguishing lance is guided only into the assigned dead zone. That is, it is thereby possible, on the one hand, for example to achieve particularly simple insertion of the fire extinguishing lance by providing a relatively large entry opening, but at the same time to purposefully guide the fire extinguishing lance into a defined region, so that the safety risk for the rescue personnel can be reduced again.

[0021] It is particularly advantageous here for the guide element to taper conically in the direction of the accommodation region. In this way, the guidance of the fire extinguishing lance can be provided particularly simply. By means of this conical tapering, it is furthermore possible to provide a relatively large entry opening on the side of the access region facing away from the accommodation region, which significantly simplifies the insertion of the fire extinguishing lance. This is advantageous in particular when the line of sight is restricted by, for example, smoke or flames. The guide element can taper, for example, wedge-shaped or frustum-conically, pyramidal, pointed or be designed with a similar tapering shape. Furthermore, such a guide element can be formed by a suitable geometry of the passage opening designed in the side wall, or the guide element can be provided by a specially manufactured component, for example a trumpet mouth, which is joined to the motor vehicle component providing the remaining side wall. In any case, it is preferred for such a guide element to be made of a fire-resistant, high-melting material, for example steel.

[0022] In another advantageous design of the application, the access region has a sealing element which is designed in such a way that the fire extinguishing device, in particular the fire extinguishing lance, which is guided partially through the access region, is sealed against the side wall. This has the significant advantage that backflow of water can be avoided as far as possible, which allows more effective extinguishing of the battery fire. In order to integrate the sealing element, various solutions are also possible. For example, this sealing element can be provided by the guiding element described above. For example, a guiding element which is designed to guide the funnel can achieve the sealing effect together with the sealing of the fire extinguishing lance. For example, a rubber skin cup or the like can be arranged on the tapered end of such a guiding funnel. Such a sealing can also be arranged on the insertion side. For example, this sealing is configured together with the closure for the access region, as will also be described in detail later. This sealing effect can also be achieved by latching the fire extinguishing lance together with or at the access region or by other sealing materials and / or valves or the like. It can also be provided that the fire extinguishing lance is connected to the guiding funnel or the guiding device in general irreversibly or reversibly by a mechanical latching function, for example a bayonet connection or a quick coupling with a barb together with a sealing.

[0023] In this way, it can be achieved in an especially advantageous manner that the fire extinguishing lance can be reliably held in its position after insertion through the access region. In particular, it is no longer necessary for the fire extinguishing lance to be held in its position by the rescue personnel afterwards, but rather it can be held in the access region and latched in its position by the latching function.

[0024] In another advantageous design of the application, the access region provides a through-opening, the through-opening having a closure, the closure being designed as a sealing, pierceable membrane or cup. For example, such a closure can be provided in the form of a rubber-elastic sleeve. Such a sleeve or membrane can be very simply pierced by the fire extinguishing lance and then simultaneously fulfils the sealing function. At the same time, when there is no fire situation, that is to say when the motor vehicle is in normal operation, the membrane or sleeve closes the through-opening and thereby protects the access region from dust, water and the like. Such a closure is particularly advantageous precisely when the access region is arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle. Nonetheless, the closure can also be configured in other ways. For example, as a closure, a shape-stable plastic cover can also be provided, but also a closure made of sheet metal, which optionally has pre-slots and / or colour markings. This simplifies the finding of the access for the rescue personnel. Such a sheet metal is relatively easy to design. It is therefore advantageous in combination with a visual marking, whereby the fireman knows at which point the fire extinguishing lance should be pierced. Particularly advantageously, the closure is furthermore configured in such a way that it does not have to be opened manually, but can also be pierced by the fire extinguishing lance from a certain distance. In the case of a vehicle fire, it is not always possible to get close. This configuration of the closure advantageously also enables the fire extinguishing lance to be fed into the access region from a distance.

[0025] In another design, a sleeve for the fire extinguishing lance can also be provided, the sleeve being attachable to the fire extinguishing end of the fire extinguishing lance to provide an extension. This sleeve can likewise comprise a tube and a coupling piece coupled to the tube, the coupling piece being connectable with the fire extinguishing end of the fire extinguishing lance. Here, the fire extinguishing end of the fire extinguishing lance is the water- discharging end of the fire extinguishing lance. This has the great advantage that the fire extinguishing process can be started from a greater distance by means of the sleeve, which further improves safety for the rescue personnel and improves the access possibility. Additionally, the sleeve can be made of a high-temperature-resistant metal, for example steel. Thus, the function of the sleeve is not impeded even when the fire is spreading intensively.

[0026] The motor vehicle according to the application is preferably designed as a car, in particular as a passenger car or a heavy goods vehicle, or as a bus or a motorcycle.

[0027] The application also comprises combinations of features of the described embodiments. That is, the application also comprises realizations having combinations of features of several of the described embodiments, respectively, as long as the embodiments are not described in a way that excludes each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Embodiments of the application are described below. Among others:

[0029] Figure 1schematic cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein a proximity area for a fire extinguishing lance according to an embodiment of the application is shown, through which the fire extinguishing lance is guided into the gap between the high-voltage battery and the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle,

[0030] Figure 2 schematic cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein a proximity area for a fire extinguishing lance according to an embodiment of the application is shown, through which the fire extinguishing lance is guided into the gap between the high-voltage battery and the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle,

[0031] Figure 3 schematic cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein a proximity area for a fire extinguishing lance according to an embodiment of the application is shown, through which the fire extinguishing lance is guided into the gap between the high-voltage battery and the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle,

[0032] Figure 4 schematic cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein a proximity area for a fire extinguishing lance according to an embodiment of the application is shown, through which the fire extinguishing lance is guided into the gap between the high-voltage battery and the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle,

[0033] Figure 5 schematic cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein a proximity area for a fire extinguishing lance according to an embodiment of the application is shown, through which the fire extinguishing lance is guided into the gap between the high-voltage battery and the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle,

[0034] Figure 6 schematic top view of a motor vehicle with a laterally arranged proximity area according to Figure 4 or Figure 5 schematic top view of a motor vehicle with a laterally arranged proximity area according to DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the application. In the embodiments, the components of the described embodiments each represent individual features of the application which are considered to be independent of each other and which each improve the application independently of the other features. The disclosure therefore also includes combinations different from those of the features of the embodiments shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by other features of the application described above.

[0036] In the figures, identical reference signs each denote functionally identical elements.

[0037] Figure 1A schematic view of a motor vehicle 10 is shown, which has a high-voltage battery 12, which comprises a battery housing 14 in which battery modules, not shown in detail, are arranged, which in turn can comprise a plurality of single cells. Furthermore, the high-voltage battery 12 is arranged below a vehicle floor 16, which provides a lower delimitation of a passenger interior 18. Furthermore, the motor vehicle has a right-hand and a left-hand side region 20, which is viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction corresponding to the shown x-direction, which is in turn divided into a rocker region 22 and a coupling region 24, which directly adjoins the rocker region 22, viewed in the vehicle vertical direction corresponding to the shown z-direction, which is arranged below a vehicle door. Here, the rocker region 22 defines a region in which a side rocker of the motor vehicle 10 with an optional crash structure is arranged. The coupling region directly follows this side rocker region 22 in the vehicle vertical direction and ends, for example, in the region of a vehicle door, in particular below the vehicle floor 16. In the coupling region, a crash structure is accordingly not necessarily arranged.

[0038] In the event of a vehicle accident, a damage of the high-voltage battery 12 can occur, that is to say, a battery fire occurs. In order to extinguish such a battery, a fire-fighting device, in particular a fire extinguishing lance 26, which can be coupled to a fire hose 28, is usually used by the fire brigade. The fire extinguishing lance can be brought to a containment region 30 in which the battery 12 is accommodated. In order to simplify the access to this containment region and in particular to ensure safety as far as possible, the motor vehicle 10 advantageously has an access region 32, which is positioned and designed in such a way that the fire extinguishing lance 26, which is guided through the access region 32, can only be inserted into a dead zone 34 in which no battery cells are arranged. In Figures 1 to 5 The dead zone 34 is shown in hatched manner in Fig. 1. In this first example, the dead zone 34 is at least partially located in a gap 36 between the high-voltage battery 12 and the vehicle floor 16. In other words, the access region 32 is positioned and designed in such a way that the fire extinguishing lance 26, which is guided through this access region 32, is guided into the gap 36. That is, advantageously, by means of the access region 32, a device is provided, which is designed to accommodate a fire-fighting device, in this case the fire extinguishing lance 26, in order to be able to flood the air gap 36 between the underfloor or vehicle floor 16 and the high-voltage battery 12 in the event of a fire. Here, the flooding is carried out with a fire extinguishing agent 38, for example water. The direction of diffusion of the fire extinguishing agent 38 out of the fire extinguishing lance 26 is shown by means of the arrow 40.

[0039] In this example, furthermore, an intermediate piece 42 in the form of a sleeve for the fire extinguishing lance 26 is shown. The intermediate piece 42 can be fitted on the fire extinguishing lance 26 and serves as an extension of the fire extinguishing lance 26. This is advantageously implemented in that the fire extinguishing process can be started from a greater distance. Additionally, the intermediate piece 42 can be made of a high-temperature-resistant metal, for example steel. Thereby, the functionality of the intermediate piece is not hindered even when the fire spreads intensively and, furthermore, the functionality of the fire extinguishing lance 26 is protected and ensured. The intermediate piece 42 is implemented with a tip having a front side like the fire extinguishing lance 26 to simplify the passage through the access area 32. In the following, not only the fire extinguishing lance 26 but also the intermediate piece 42 and the combination thereof can be understood as a fire extinguishing device.

[0040] Furthermore, the access area 32 can be implemented with a closure 44. Here, the closure does not necessarily have to be designed for reversibly closing and opening the access area, but can also be implemented in such a way that the closure can only irreversibly release the access area 32. For example, the closure 44 can be implemented as a rubber-elastic sleeve and / or a shape-stable plastic cover or also be made of a metal plate, optionally with pre-slotted and / or color-coded markings. The rubber-elastic sleeve or membrane can be simply pierced and well sealed against the vehicle body, while the metal plate is relatively easy to design but more difficult to pierce. Then, suitably, in the area of the access area 32, preferably on the closure 44, a marking is provided which is visually visible from the outside, so that the fire fighter knows at which point the fire extinguishing device, i.e. the fire extinguishing lance 26, or the extension on the sleeve, i.e. the intermediate piece 42, should be penetrated.

[0041] In a further advantageous design, the access area furthermore has a guide element, for example a guide funnel 46 in this example. The guide funnel can be arranged behind the closure 44, viewed in the direction of the accommodation area 30, so that the fire extinguishing lance 26 or the intermediate piece 42 can be introduced directly into the air gap 36 in order to introduce the fire extinguishing agent 38 there. This is advantageous because, thereby, the vehicle floor 16 can be cooled, which is necessary in order to delay the ignition of interior components. Additionally, thereby, a certain cooling of the high-voltage battery 12 can also be produced.

[0042] The guiding funnel 46 can be designed, for example, conically or pyramidal. It is preferred in any case that the guiding funnel conically narrows and tapers in the direction of the high-voltage battery 12 or the accommodation region 30. Furthermore, the guiding funnel 46 can be made of a fire-resistant, high-melting material, for example steel. By means of its funnel shape, the guiding funnel purposefully introduces the tip of the extinguishing device, that is to say the extinguishing lance 26 or the intermediate piece 42, into the air gap 36. Optionally, the guiding funnel can also realize an additional sealing action with the extinguishing device 26, 42, whereby a backflow of the water 38 is avoided as far as possible. Technically, this can be realized by means of a latching, by means of a sealing material and / or a valve. The extinguishing device 26, 42 can be connected to the guiding funnel 46 in an irreversible manner or reversibly by means of a mechanical latching, for example a quick coupling with a bayonet connection or a barb, optionally also together with a sealing.

[0043] Different solutions are also possible for the arrangement of the region 32 in terms of its position. As already described, it is particularly advantageous to introduce the cooling medium 38 into the gap 36 between the battery 12 and the vehicle floor 16 in order to primarily achieve a cooling action of the vehicle floor 16. As shown in Figure 1 , this can be achieved by arranging the access region 32 in the side sill region 22 or in the described coupling region 24. That is to say the opening provided here by the access region 32 can be arranged in the side sill itself and / or above the crash profile and / or be realized by means of the crash structure or the crash profile.

[0044] However, the access region can also be arranged in the vehicle floor 16 itself, as is shown, for example, schematically in Figure 2 . Furthermore, the motor vehicle 10 shown schematically in Figure 2 is configured as described in Figure 1 . Thus, here the access region 32 is arranged in the vehicle floor 16 in the interior space 18, for example under the carpet, which has the advantage, for example, that there is virtually no visual impact and also no risk of being "spoiled" from the outside. Furthermore, a further advantage is that the optional guiding funnel 46 can be dispensed with in this embodiment, since the access region 32 is located directly above the air gap 36. If, for example, it should be ensured that the tip of the extinguishing device 26, 42 does not continue to protrude, that is to say does not pierce the battery housing 14, this can be provided in this example simply by a correspondingly solidly configured battery cover, which is the part of the battery housing 14 facing the vehicle floor 16. However, it is alternatively also possible or desirable to realize a penetration into the battery housing 14, for example as shown in Figure 3A portion of the dead zone 34 can also be provided within the battery housing 14 in this example, respectively. That is, a dead zone is also a region within the battery housing 14 in which no battery cells are arranged, so that the fire extinguishing lance 26 can be inserted there without any problems. In this case, it is advantageous to additionally provide a guide funnel 46 through the access region 32, even when the access region 32 in this example is again arranged in the vehicle floor 16, because the fire extinguishing lance 26 can be reliably and purposefully guided into the dead zone 34 by means of this guide funnel 46. By the possibility of inserting the fire extinguishing device 26, 42 directly into the battery 12, the battery housing 14 can be flooded. Thereby, it is achieved that the fire is extinguished very well, in particular much better than by merely flushing the battery 12 from the outside.

[0045] Furthermore, in the case where the fire extinguishing device 26, 42 is to be inserted into the interior of the battery housing 14, a material weakening of the battery housing 14 is provided at the respective location when the battery housing 14 is not originally thin enough in the respective region for it to be possible to achieve a simple piercing with the fire extinguishing lance 26 or the intermediate piece 42. Furthermore, it is also particularly advantageous in the example in which the fire extinguishing lance 26 or the intermediate piece 42 is to be inserted into the interior of the battery housing 14 in order to flood the battery housing that the high-voltage battery 12 furthermore has an outlet 50 through which the extinguishing agent 38 can exit the battery housing 14 again. By means of this outlet 50, the flow conditions within the battery housing 14 can be purposefully adjusted, and furthermore the extinguishing agent throughput through the battery housing 14 is also increased and thereby the cooling effect is increased. Thereby, the outlet 50 provides a flow connection between the interior of the battery and the environment. Furthermore, the outlet 50 is provided with safety measures against external access, for example with an overpressure valve or the like.

[0046] In principle, the interior space 18 can only be accessed when the battery fire has not yet spread to a large extent. It is accordingly advantageous if the at least one access region is not provided in the vehicle floor 16, but rather on another location of the motor vehicle 10 which adjoins the accommodation region 30. Such a location can be the already described side region 20, as has already been described with regard to Figure 1 In Figure 1 , the fire extinguishing lance 26 is guided here along a guide direction R1 which is parallel to a vehicle transverse direction which is oriented in the illustrated y direction (see Figure 6 ). Here, the vehicle transverse direction is parallel to a vehicle transverse axis Q (see Figure 6 ). However, it is also particularly advantageous if the access region 32 is designed in such a way that the fire extinguishing device 26, 42 can be inserted into the accommodation region 30 in an angled manner with respect to the vehicle transverse axis Q, as is illustrated in Figure 4 , Figure 5 and in Figure 6is shown in a top view of the motor vehicle 10. This can be achieved, for example, by positioning the access region 32 in the side region 20 and by configuring it with suitable guide elements, for example a guide funnel 46. In this case, Figure 4 The motor vehicle is shown schematically in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the vehicle transverse direction Q, in which the access region 32 is designed such that the fire extinguishing lance 26 inserted through the access region is inserted in a gap 36 between the battery 12 and the vehicle floor 16, while Figure 5 A variant is shown schematically, according to which the access region 32 is positioned and configured such that the fire extinguishing lance 26 is inserted purposefully into the interior region of the battery housing 14. In both cases, this is done in a manner inclined from the side, that is to say at an angle a to the vehicle transverse axis Q, in which Figure 6 The angle is shown in a top view of the motor vehicle 10. Here, R2 denotes the guide direction of the fire extinguishing lance 26 through the access region 32. This is predetermined by the funnel 46 after insertion into the access region 32. Furthermore, the access region 32 is arranged in the wheelhouse 48 or wheel arch 48 of the motor vehicle 10, in particular in the rear wheel arch 48, in the example of Figure 4 and Figure 5 The access region 32 guides the fire extinguishing device 26, 42, which is arranged in the wheelhouse 48 or wheel arch 48 of the motor vehicle 10, in particular in the rear wheel arch 48, in the example of

[0047] Here, the lateral insertion at an angle a has the great advantage that a greater safety distance of the fire fighter from the battery fire 52 can be provided. Furthermore, this makes it possible to provide the access region 32 in the wheelhouse 48 or wheel arch 48 of the motor vehicle 10.

[0048] Thus, although not shown, the access region 32 can also be arranged on any other part of the motor vehicle 10, for example in the trunk, in the engine compartment, in the region of the front of the vehicle, in the rear region, etc. It is also advantageous to provide a plurality of such access regions, for example at different locations on the motor vehicle 10. This has the great advantage that a plurality of possibilities for inserting the fire extinguishing device 26, 42 are present in the event of a vehicle fire 52.

[0049] The examples show in general how a battery fire extinguishing solution with optimum accessibility can be provided by the present application, which makes it possible to effectively increase the rescue time of the fire fighter, since a cooling function of the vehicle floor and the high-voltage battery is achieved. Furthermore, a higher safety for the fire fighter and the surrounding persons and facilities is provided. Furthermore, this can be achieved with little intervention in the vehicle structure, which means low additional costs. The higher safety achieved by the present application also does not require special training of the fire fighter. Furthermore, the embodiments have a high potential for cross-industry standardization and provide a very simple operating solution.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (10) with an access area (32) for extinguishing a battery fire (52), wherein Motor vehicle (10) comprising a high-voltage battery (12) having a battery housing (14) and at least one battery module arranged in the battery housing (14), the battery module having at least one battery cell, an accommodation region (30) in which the high-voltage battery (12) is accommodated, a side wall (16, 20, 22, 24) which delimits the accommodation region (30) in at least one direction, an access region (32) which is located in the side wall (16, 20, 22, 24) and is designed such that a fire extinguishing device (26, 42) can be inserted at least partially into the accommodation region (30) through the access region (32) from a side of the side wall (16, 20, 22, 24) facing away from the high-voltage battery (12), characterized in that the accommodation region (30) has at least one defined, battery cell-free dead zone (34) which is assigned to the access region (32), wherein the at least one battery cell is arranged in a region of the accommodation region (30) which is different from the dead zone (34), wherein the access region (32) is located and designed such that the fire extinguishing device (26, 42) which is at least partially guided through the access region (32) can only be inserted into the assigned dead zone (34), wherein the motor vehicle (10) has a motor vehicle floor (16) which adjoins the accommodation region (30), wherein the high-voltage battery (12) is arranged below and spaced apart from the motor vehicle floor (16) such that a gap (36) exists between the high-voltage battery (12) and the vehicle floor, wherein the access region (32) is located and configured such that the fire extinguishing device (26, 42) which is at least partially guided through the access region (32) opens into the gap (36), wherein the access region (32) provides a passage opening with a guide element (46) which is designed to guide the fire extinguishing device (26, 42) inserted through the passage opening into a defined directional range.

2. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The dead zone (34) is arranged completely outside the battery housing (14).

3. Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The dead zone (34) is arranged at least partially inside the battery housing (14).

4. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The side wall (16, 20, 22, 24) is at least a portion of a vehicle floor (16) of the motor vehicle, or the side wall (16, 20, 22, 24) is different from the vehicle floor (16), wherein the access region (32) is arranged in a side sill region (22) of a side sill of the motor vehicle (10), or in a wheelhouse (48), or in a coupling region (24) which directly adjoins the side sill region (22) in the vehicle vertical direction (z) and is located below a vehicle door of the motor vehicle (10) with respect to the vehicle vertical direction (z).

5. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that The access region (32) is located in the side sill region (22) or in the coupling region (24) or in the wheelhouse (48) and is designed such that the fire extinguishing device (26, 42) which is at least partially guided through the access region (32) can be inserted into the accommodation region (30) in a guide direction (R2) which encloses an angle (a) of more than zero with a vehicle transverse axis (Q).

6. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that The angle (a) is greater than 20 degrees.

7. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The guide element (46) tapers conically in the direction of the accommodation region (30).

8. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The access region (32) has a sealing element which is designed such that the fire extinguishing device (26, 42) which is guided partially through the access region (32) is sealed with respect to the side wall (16, 20, 22, 24).

9. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The access region (32) provides a passage opening which has a closure (44) which is designed as a sealing, pierceable diaphragm or cup.

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