Method for manufacturing a battery and corresponding manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a battery having a battery housing and at least one battery cell module, wherein the battery cell module is inserted into the battery housing in such a way that a gap is formed between the wall of the battery housing and the battery cell module, and a heat-conducting medium is subsequently introduced into the gap by means of an introduction device (2). It is provided that an operating mode is selected from a first operating mode of the introduction device (2) and a second operating mode of the introduction device (2), and the heat-conducting medium is introduced using this operating mode, wherein in the first operating mode the heat-conducting medium is introduced at an introduction volume flow rate set to a preset volume flow rate, and in the second operating mode the heat-conducting medium is introduced at an introduction pressure set to a preset pressure. The invention also relates to a manufacturing device (1) for manufacturing a battery having a battery housing and at least one battery cell module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a battery having a battery housing and at least one battery cell module, wherein the battery cell module is inserted / installed into the battery housing in such a way that a gap is formed between the battery housing wall and the battery cell module, and a heat conducting medium is subsequently introduced into the gap by an introduction device. The invention also relates to a corresponding manufacturing device. Background Art

[0002] For example, the document DE 10 2018 208 070 A1 is known from the prior art. This document describes a method for manufacturing a battery module device for a motor vehicle, the method comprising at least the following steps: providing at least one housing element of the battery module device and at least one battery module of the battery module device; after mounting the at least one battery module on the at least one housing element, forming at least one gap extending between an element region of the at least one housing element and the at least one battery module, the gap being at least partially delimited and sealed by at least one sealing element of the battery module device arranged between the element region and the at least one battery module; introducing a heat conducting medium into the at least one gap through at least one filling opening device. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to specify a method for producing a battery which has advantages over known methods, in particular by enabling a faster and at the same time process-reliable introduction of a heat transfer medium into the gap.

[0004] According to the invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a method for producing a battery having the features of claim 1. It is provided that an operating mode is selected from a first operating mode of the introduction device and a second operating mode of the introduction device, and the heat transfer medium is introduced using this operating mode, wherein in the first operating mode the heat transfer medium is introduced with an introduction volume flow rate set to a preset volume flow rate, and in the second operating mode the heat transfer medium is introduced with an introduction pressure set to a preset pressure.

[0005] The method described is used to produce a battery. The battery is provided, for example, as a power battery, which is preferably installed as a component of a motor vehicle, but can also be provided separately therefrom. The power battery is used to temporarily store electrical energy, which is used in particular to drive a drive device or a power unit of a motor vehicle. The electrical energy stored in the power battery is therefore used to supply a drive element intended to drive the motor vehicle via the drive device or the power unit.

[0006] The power battery has a battery housing and at least one battery cell module. The battery cell module is used to temporarily store electrical energy. To this end, the battery cell module has at least one battery cell, preferably a plurality of battery cells electrically connected to each other. A receiving grid is constructed in the battery housing, and the receiving grid is arranged and constructed to receive the battery cell module. Preferably, not only a single battery cell module is arranged in the battery housing, but also a plurality of battery cell modules are present in the battery housing. In this design, the battery housing has a receiving grid constructed to receive a plurality of battery cell modules. The receiving grid is defined by the wall of the battery housing, in particular the bottom wall of the battery housing.

[0007] Alternatively, the battery housing can have as many receiving compartments as cell modules, wherein each of the receiving compartments is respectively bounded by a wall of the battery housing, in particular a bottom wall of the battery housing. It can be provided that the receiving compartments are separated from each other by intermediate walls of the battery housing. This means that one of the intermediate walls of the battery housing is present between every two receiving compartments of the receiving compartments. When manufacturing the battery, preferably not only one cell module or multiple cell modules are arranged in one receiving compartment or multiple receiving compartments, but also the electrical connection of one cell module or multiple cell modules is performed.

[0008] The receiving compartment is at least partially bounded by the walls of the battery housing. Preferably, the receiving compartment is surrounded by a plurality of walls, wherein one of the walls is designed, for example, as a bottom wall and the other walls are designed as side walls. If the walls of the battery housing are mentioned within the scope of this specification, then this is preferably the bottom wall. Alternatively, however, one of the side walls can also be considered as a wall. It can be provided that a support surface is constructed on the wall, in particular on the side wall, which supports or fixes the battery module after the battery module is arranged in the receiving compartment.

[0009] For example, the support surface is arranged in such a way that the cell module - after it is arranged in the receiving compartment - is spaced apart from the wall, in particular the bottom, of the battery housing, while the cell module rests on the support surface. In this way, tolerances in the dimensions of the cell module and the battery housing can be reliably compensated. It can be provided that the cell module is supported directly on the support surface. However, it can also be provided that a tolerance compensation element is arranged between the cell module and the support surface, by means of which manufacturing tolerances of the cell module and / or the battery housing can be compensated.

[0010] The support surface, if present, is present, for example, on a fixing element that protrudes from at least one wall or multiple walls of the battery housing. The fixing element is preferably connected to the wall or multiple walls in a material-locking manner, for example, glued or welded to the wall or multiple walls. In contrast, the cell module can have a support surface, which, after the cell module is arranged in the receiving compartment, rests on the support surface, in particular flatly or planarly, so that the cell module is supported in the receiving compartment at a distance from the wall, in particular from the bottom.

[0011] In this respect, the battery cell module does not contact the wall or the bottom and is in any case indirectly connected to the wall or the bottom, i.e. connected to the wall or the bottom via a heat-conducting medium. Alternatively, it can be provided that the battery cell module only partially contacts the wall or the bottom. In any case, the heat-conducting medium is present between the wall of the battery housing and the battery cell module. In other words, when the battery cell module is inserted into the battery housing, a gap is formed, which is bounded on the one hand by the wall of the battery housing and on the other hand by the battery cell module. It can be provided that the gap away from the wall and away from the battery cell module is at least partially closed by means of a sealing element in order to prevent the heat-conducting medium from escaping from the gap. However, the sealing element is completely optional.

[0012] In order to effectively cool the battery cell modules, it is necessary to establish a thermal connection between the battery cell modules and the battery housing. For this purpose, a heat-conducting medium is introduced into the battery housing, i.e. into the gap, during the manufacture of the battery. According to the invention, a battery housing and a battery cell module are first provided, and the battery cell module is inserted into the battery housing with a gap formed. The heat-conducting medium is then introduced into the gap, i.e. such that the heat-conducting medium rests on the wall of the battery housing on the one hand and on the battery cell module on the other hand. In this respect, the heat-conducting medium thermally connects the battery cell module and the battery housing to one another. Introducing the heat-conducting medium into the gap after the battery cell module has been inserted into the battery housing has the advantage of inexpensive and resource-efficient manufacture of the battery.

[0013] A multi-component heat-conducting medium is used as a heat-conducting medium, for example, and the multi-component heat-conducting medium comprises at least a first component and a second component. Here, the first component is, for example, a carrier material, and the second component is a filler, wherein the thermal conductivity of the heat-conducting medium is mainly achieved by the filler. For this reason, the filler preferably has a higher thermal conductivity than the carrier material. For example, the heat-conducting medium exists in the form of a liquid or a paste. Paste is to be understood as a solid-liquid mixture, wherein, for example, the first component exists as a liquid and the second component exists as a solid. The second component preferably contains metal particles or is composed of metal particles. Particularly preferably, the content of the second component in the heat-conducting medium is at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70% or at least 80%. Thus, particularly good heat conduction is achieved with the help of the heat-conducting medium.

[0014] Due to the common consistency or viscosity of the heat-conducting medium, the heat-conducting medium forms a counterpressure / back pressure (Gegendruck) during the introduction of the heat-conducting medium into the gap. This counterpressure must be limited in order to prevent damage to the battery housing and / or the battery cell module due to the force applied by the heat-conducting medium to the battery housing and / or the battery cell module. Therefore, it can be provided that the introduction speed of the heat-conducting medium, that is, the flow rate / throughput of the heat-conducting medium is limited to the following value, which is used to ensure that the pressure occurring in the gap is not exceeded during the entire introduction process. However, this leads to a relatively slow introduction of the heat-conducting medium and correspondingly to a time-consuming manufacturing process of the battery.

[0015] In order to speed up the introduction of the heat transfer medium, the introduction device should therefore be able to operate in different operating modes, namely in a first operating mode and a second operating mode. One operating mode is selected from the first operating mode and the second operating mode, and this operating mode is set on the introduction device. The selected operating mode is then used for the introduction of the heat transfer medium. For example, it is provided that during the introduction process of the heat transfer medium, the two operating modes are used in time periods.

[0016] The operating modes differ with regard to the introduction parameters, which are set to preset values ​​during the introduction. In a first operating mode, the introduction volume flow is used as the introduction parameter and the preset volume flow is used as the preset value. In a second operating mode, the introduction pressure is used as the introduction parameter and the preset pressure is used as the preset value. Thus, in the first operating mode, the introduction volume flow of the heat-conducting medium is set, while in the second operating mode, the introduction pressure is set. The introduction volume flow is understood to be the volume of the heat-conducting medium introduced into the gap per time unit by means of the introduction device. The introduction pressure is the pressure of the heat-conducting medium, for example in the gap or alternatively in the introduction device.

[0017] Setting the introduction parameter to a preset value is preferably understood to mean setting the introduction parameter to a preset value. The introduction parameter is set to a preset value, for example, by correspondingly setting a conveying device, with which the heat transfer medium is conveyed through the introduction device and introduced into the gap. The conveying device is, for example, in the form of a pump or the like. The conveying device is preferably adjusted such that the introduction parameter corresponds to the preset value, i.e., in the first operating mode, the reference volume flow corresponds to the preset volume flow, and in the second operating mode, the introduction pressure corresponds to the preset pressure.

[0018] In the first operating mode, for example, a relatively large amount of heat-conducting medium can be introduced into the gap particularly quickly and efficiently. In contrast, in the second operating mode, the introduction pressure is limited, thereby reliably preventing damage to the battery, in particular the battery housing and / or the cell module. Overall, the method thus enables the production of batteries in a particularly process-reliable manner.

[0019] A further development of the invention provides that at the beginning of the introduction, the first operating mode is first used and then switched to the second operating mode. It has already been explained above that the first operating mode allows a particularly rapid introduction of the heat-conducting medium, at least the majority of the heat-conducting medium or the entire heat-conducting medium. Since the gap is still empty or at least substantially empty at the beginning of the introduction, there is no need to limit the introduction pressure, since the pressure present in the gap is still low. The pressure present in the gap only increases when the gap has been partially filled with the heat-conducting medium by introducing the heat-conducting medium into the gap in the first operating mode.

[0020] Accordingly, after a certain amount of heat-conducting medium has been introduced in the first operating mode, a switch is made to the second operating mode in order to prevent an excessive increase in pressure. The switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode can be made, for example, after a certain time period determined by empirical values ​​or after a preset amount of heat-conducting medium has been introduced. By using both the first operating mode and the second operating mode, the heat-conducting medium can be introduced into the gap particularly quickly, while at the same time reliably avoiding damage to the battery.

[0021] An extension of the invention provides that the operating mode is selected depending on the pressure of the heat-conducting medium. The pressure of the heat-conducting medium is preferably measured. Thus, it is always possible to reliably prevent the pressure from exceeding the permissible pressure. For example, it is provided that the heat-conducting medium is first introduced into the gap using a first operating mode. During the introduction in the first operating mode, the pressure of the heat-conducting medium is continuously monitored. If the pressure exceeds a certain limit value, a switch is made from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, and the introduction is then carried out in the second operating mode.

[0022] The limit value (when reaching or exceeding the limit value, the switch to the second operating mode) corresponds, for example, to a preset pressure. In other words, the introduction is carried out in the first operating mode until the pressure reaches the preset pressure. Only when the pressure reaches the preset pressure is the switch to the second operating mode so that the introduction pressure is then set to the preset pressure, in particular the upper limit is the preset pressure. The introduction pressure preferably corresponds to the measured pressure. In other words, the introduction pressure is measured, in particular, by a corresponding sensor. The advantages mentioned above are achieved in this way.

[0023] A further development of the invention provides that the pressure of the heat-conducting medium is measured in the gap or upstream of an outlet opening of the introduction device. The introduction device has an outlet opening through which the heat-conducting medium is discharged from the introduction device during introduction and injected into the gap. In this respect, the outlet opening is the point of the introduction device located furthest downstream.

[0024] Particularly preferably, the pressure of the heat-conducting medium is measured directly in the gap, so that the pressure can be determined particularly reliably. For example, for this purpose, the pressure sensor is arranged next to the outlet opening on the introduction device. Alternatively, however, the pressure can also be measured upstream of the outlet opening, that is, before the heat-conducting medium is discharged from the introduction device. Preferably, this location is selected in this case so that the measured pressure corresponds or at least approximately corresponds to the pressure present in the gap. This achieves a high process safety.

[0025] The invention provides that the outlet opening is connected to the static mixer in terms of flow technology, and the pressure is measured in terms of flow technology downstream of the static mixer, in particular between the static mixer and the outlet opening. The introduction device is designed so that the heat transfer medium first flows through the static mixer before being discharged from the outlet opening.

[0026] A static mixer is to be understood as a device in which the mixing of the heat transfer medium is achieved purely by the flow movement of the heat transfer medium. Preferably, the static mixer is designed so that the heat transfer medium is divided into a plurality of heat transfer medium flows, which are then merged again. The mixing of the heat transfer medium is carried out by merging. The homogeneity of the heat transfer medium is improved by means of a static mixer, which can also be referred to as a static mixer.

[0027] The outlet opening of the introduction device is located downstream of the static mixer. In order to obtain a most accurate approximation of the pressure prevailing in the gap, the pressure is measured downstream of the static mixer in terms of flow technology. The pressure is particularly preferably measured between the static mixer and the outlet opening. This makes it possible to switch between the two operating modes and to set a preset pressure in a particularly reliable manner.

[0028] The expansion scheme of the present invention provides that the first operating mode is used when the measured pressure is lower than the limit value, and the second operating mode is used when the pressure is at least equal to the limit value. In other words, as long as the pressure is less than the limit value, the first operating mode is used to introduce the heat transfer medium into the gap.

[0029] If the pressure reaches or exceeds the limit value, a switch is made from the first operating mode to the second operating mode in order to prevent a further increase in pressure. This achieves the high process safety already described when manufacturing the battery. Of course, it can also be provided that a switch is made from the second operating mode back to the first operating mode as soon as the pressure falls below the limit value again. This enables a particularly rapid introduction of the heat transfer medium.

[0030] The extended solution of the present invention provides that during the introduction, the first operating mode is first used continuously, and from the time when the measured pressure reaches or exceeds the limit value until the end of the introduction, the second operating mode is used continuously. Therefore, at the beginning of the introduction, the first operating mode is first set. The first operating mode is used to introduce the heat transfer medium into the gap until the measured pressure reaches or exceeds the limit value. If the measured pressure reaches or exceeds the limit value, the first operating mode is switched to the second operating mode, and the introduction is continued in the second operating mode.

[0031] However, in contrast to the above explanation, if the pressure again falls below the limit value, there is no switch back to the first operating mode. Instead, the heat transfer medium is introduced in the second operating mode until the introduction is complete. For example, the introduction is complete once a certain amount of heat transfer medium, in particular a certain volume of heat transfer medium, has been introduced into the gap by the introduction device during the introduction.

[0032] Alternatively, provision can also be made that the introduction is terminated as soon as the introduction volume flow, with which the heat transfer medium is introduced into the gap, falls below a volume flow limit value in the second operating mode, due to the setting of the introduction pressure to a preset pressure. In this case, it is assumed that the gap is substantially filled and no further introduction of heat transfer medium into the gap is necessary. In any case, the described method achieves a high process safety during the production of batteries.

[0033] A further development of the invention provides that the introduction in the first operating mode takes place at a higher introduction volume flow rate than in the second operating mode. This means that at the beginning of the introduction, the highest introduction volume flow rate is provided during the entire introduction process. For example, the preset volume flow rate for the first operating mode is selected such that at least 25%, at least 50% or at least 75% of the heat transfer medium to be introduced into the gap is already introduced before switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode. Accordingly, a particularly rapid introduction of the heat transfer medium into the gap is achieved.

[0034] The present invention also relates to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a battery having a battery housing and at least one battery cell module, in particular for performing a method according to an implementation scheme within the scope of the present description, wherein the manufacturing device is arranged and constructed to install the battery cell module into the battery housing in such a way that a gap is formed between the wall of the battery housing and the battery cell module, and subsequently to introduce a heat transfer medium into the gap by means of an introduction device.

[0035] Here, the manufacturing device is also arranged and constructed to select an operating mode from a first operating mode of the introduction device and a second operating mode of the introduction device, and use the operating mode to introduce the heat transfer medium, wherein in the first operating mode, the heat transfer medium is introduced at an introduction volume flow rate set to a preset volume flow rate, and in the second operating mode, the heat transfer medium is introduced at an introduction pressure set to a preset pressure.

[0036] The advantages of this embodiment of the production plant or of this method have already been pointed out. The production plant and the method for operating the production plant can be expanded according to the embodiments within the scope of the present description, so that reference is made thereto in this regard.

[0037] A further development of the invention provides that, in terms of flow technology, a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the heat-conducting medium is provided between the static mixer and the outlet opening, through which the heat-conducting medium is discharged for introduction into the gap. The arrangement of the static mixer and the outlet opening or the arrangement of the static mixer and the outlet opening relative to one another in terms of flow technology has already been indicated.

[0038] The pressure sensor is arranged flow-wise between the static mixer and the outlet opening. For example, the pressure sensor is a component of a component device that can be disassembled from the introduction device separately from the static mixer and the outlet opening and replaced. The component device can also include a static mixer in addition to the pressure sensor, so that the static mixer can be disassembled and replaced together with the pressure sensor. This disassembly is performed, for example, within the scope of replacing the static mixer or the sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The present invention will be described in detail below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings without limiting the present invention.

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a manufacturing device for manufacturing a battery having a battery housing and at least one battery cell module is shown,

[0041] Figure 2 A graph showing the volume flow and the pressure of a heat transfer medium introduced into a battery via an introduction device over time is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a manufacturing device 1 for manufacturing a battery having a battery housing and at least one cell module is shown. In particular, an introduction device 2 of the manufacturing device 1 is shown, by means of which a heat-conducting medium can be introduced into the battery. More precisely, the battery has a gap formed by inserting the cell module into the battery housing. The gap is located between the wall of the battery housing and the cell module.

[0043] The introduction device 2 is used to introduce a heat transfer medium into the gap. Only a part of the introduction device 2 is shown here, namely the static mixer 3 and the nozzle 4, wherein the nozzle 4 has an outlet opening 5 at the end. The heat transfer medium is discharged through the outlet opening 5 to be introduced into the gap. In terms of flow technology, a pressure sensor 6 is located between the static mixer 3 and the nozzle 4, by which the pressure of the heat transfer medium at this location can be determined.

[0044] It is now provided that the introduction device 2 can be operated in different operating modes, namely at least in a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the heat transfer medium is introduced into the gap at an introduction volume flow rate set to a preset volume flow rate. In the second operating mode, the heat transfer medium is introduced at an introduction pressure set to a preset pressure.

[0045] This ensures that, despite the rapid introduction of the heat transfer medium into the gap, the permissible pressure of the heat transfer medium in the gap is not exceeded, thereby reliably avoiding damage to the battery. 3 / s and maximum 15cm3 / s, for example, at least 2cm 3 / s and maximum 10cm 3 / s, particularly preferably at least 4 cm 3 / s and maximum 9cm 3 As the preset pressure, a pressure of at least 2 bar and a maximum of 10 bar, at least 4 bar and a maximum of 8 bar or approximately or exactly 4 bar or 6 bar may be considered.

[0046] Figure 2 A graph showing curves 7 and 8 over time t is shown. Curve 7 represents the volume flow of the heat transfer medium. And curve 8 represents the pressure measured by pressure sensor 6. Preferably, the measured pressure p is equal to or corresponds to the introduction pressure. It is obvious that at the beginning of the introduction, with a relatively high volume flow rate First, the measured pressure p is very small. However, it increases from time t0 until it reaches pressure p1 at time t1, which serves as a limit value for switching between the first operating mode and the second operating mode.

[0047] At time t1, the first operating mode is switched to the second operating mode, and the heat transfer medium is subsequently introduced in the second operating mode. In the second operating mode, the introduction pressure corresponding to the measured pressure is set to a preset pressure, which corresponds to the limit value. It follows that after time t1, the pressure remains constant, while, on the contrary, the volume flow rate decreases continuously.

[0048] In the second operating mode, the heat transfer medium is introduced until the desired amount of heat transfer medium has been introduced into the gap. When using the manufacturing device 1 shown, the method has the advantage that a very rapid introduction of the heat transfer medium into the gap is ensured, while at the same time reliably avoiding damage to the battery to be manufactured.

[0049] List of reference numerals:

[0050] 1 Manufacturing Equipment

[0051] 2. Introduction of equipment

[0052] 3 Static mixer

[0053] 4 Nozzles

[0054] 5 Output opening

[0055] 6. Pressure Sensor

[0056] 7 Curve

[0057] 8 Curve

Claims

1. A method for producing a battery having a battery housing and at least one battery cell module, wherein: The battery cell module is inserted into the battery housing in the form of a gap formed between the wall of the battery housing and the battery cell module, and then a heat-conducting medium is introduced into the gap by means of an introduction device (2), characterized in that an operating mode is selected from a first operating mode of the introduction device (2) and a second operating mode of the introduction device (2), and the heat-conducting medium is introduced using the operating mode, wherein at the beginning of the introduction, the first operating mode is first used and then switched to the second operating mode, in which the heat-conducting medium is introduced at an introduction volume flow rate set to a preset volume flow rate, and in which the heat-conducting medium is introduced at an introduction pressure set to a preset pressure in the second operating mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The operating mode is switched according to the pressure of the heat transfer medium.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The pressure of the heat transfer medium is measured in the gap or upstream of the outlet opening (5) of the introduction device (2).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The outlet opening (5) is connected flow-wise to the static mixer (3), and the pressure is measured flow-wise downstream of the static mixer (3).

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that If the measured pressure is below the limit value, the first operating mode is used, whereas if the pressure is at least equal to the limit value, the second operating mode is used.

6. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: During the introduction, the first operating mode is first used continuously, and from the time when the measured pressure reaches or exceeds the limit value until the end of the introduction, the second operating mode is used continuously.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The introduction in the first operating mode takes place at a higher introduction volume flow rate than in the second operating mode.

8. A manufacturing device (1) for manufacturing a battery having a battery housing and at least one battery cell module, wherein: The manufacturing device (1) is arranged and constructed for inserting the battery cell module into the battery housing in such a way that a gap is formed between the wall of the battery housing and the battery cell module and then introducing the heat-conducting medium into the gap through the introduction device (2), and is characterized in that the manufacturing device (1) is also arranged and constructed for selecting an operating mode from a first operating mode of the introduction device (2) and a second operating mode of the introduction device (2), and introducing the heat-conducting medium using the operating mode, wherein at the beginning of the introduction, the first operating mode is first used and then switched to the second operating mode, in which the heat-conducting medium is introduced at an introduction volume flow rate set to a preset volume flow rate, and in the second operating mode, the heat-conducting medium is introduced at an introduction pressure set to a preset pressure.

9. The manufacturing equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that A pressure sensor (6) for measuring the pressure of the heat-conducting medium, which is discharged through the discharge opening for introduction into the gap, is provided flow-wise between the static mixer (3) and the discharge opening (5).

Images