Motor vehicle traction battery assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle traction battery assembly (10) having a plurality of battery modules (101-106) arranged in a vehicle floor in a single horizontal plane (XY), an electrical battery management system and a high-voltage busbar (20) which electrically connects all battery modules (101-106) and the battery management system to one another, wherein the battery management system is for monitoring all battery modules (101-106) and has at least one contactor as a functional component (36, 37, 38, 39) and a temperature monitoring device and / or a voltage monitoring device for each battery module (101-106). The battery management system is composed of at least two battery management sub-modules (30, 31) which each have a part of the whole of all functional components (36, 37, 38) and are arranged remote from one another.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a traction battery assembly for a motor vehicle, the traction battery assembly having: a plurality of battery modules arranged in a single horizontal plane in the vehicle floor, and an electrical battery management system for monitoring all battery modules. Background Technology

[0002] "Battery module" is understood here as a modular combination of multiple battery cells housed in a typically fluid-tight and rigid battery module housing. The battery module is designed to be rectangular and generally elongated, mounted in the vehicle floor in a manner oriented in the lateral direction of the vehicle along its longitudinal extension. To accommodate as much battery capacity as possible in the vehicle, each battery module extends longitudinally across nearly the entire width of the vehicle and structurally contributes to the lateral reinforcement of the vehicle frame. In passenger vehicles (Pkw), particularly in very flat-structured passenger vehicles, the battery modules are arranged front-to-back, largely or entirely, on a single horizontal plane, where their large longitudinal extension prevents them from being mounted at the height of the front and rear axles.

[0003] In addition, an electrical battery management system is located adjacent to the battery modules. This system includes functional components such as a fire separation system, contactors, temperature monitoring devices, and voltage monitoring devices, with the temperature and voltage monitoring devices provided individually for each battery module. The battery management system is typically assembled in a single structural module, is very extensive in both function and space, and therefore usually extends across the entire width of the vehicle and is positioned either in front of or behind all the battery modules. However, due to this arrangement, the space available for the battery modules in the longitudinal direction between the front and rear axles is correspondingly reduced. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In contrast, the purpose of this invention is to increase the total electrical capacity of the motor vehicle traction battery assembly arranged in the vehicle floor.

[0005] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by a motor vehicle traction battery assembly having the features described below.

[0006] The motor vehicle traction battery assembly according to the invention comprises a plurality of battery modules arranged in a single horizontal plane within the vehicle floor. However, this does not necessarily mean that all battery modules are arranged integrally in a single horizontal plane or within the vehicle floor, but rather that at least a majority of all battery modules are arranged in this manner. Furthermore, an electrical battery management system is disposed in the area of ​​the vehicle floor and directly adjacent to the battery modules. The battery management system is primarily used for electrical monitoring of all battery modules and for this purpose includes at least one contactor as a functional component, and temperature monitoring and / or voltage monitoring devices for each battery module. All battery modules and the battery management system are electrically interconnected via high-voltage busbars.

[0007] The battery management system comprises at least two battery management sub-modules, each containing a portion of all functional components and arranged remotely from each other. Each sub-module has its own housing, which does not share or have no common housing walls with the corresponding other sub-module. Thus, the overall functionality of the battery management system, or its multiple functional components, is divided between the at least two modules, a division that can be functionally symmetrical or asymmetrical. The two sub-modules can be substantially identical in design, yet can also have significantly different functional ranges; for example, one sub-module may contain voltage and temperature monitoring devices, while the other contains safety devices, such as contactors and a smoke and fire separation system. However, the two sub-modules can also differ considerably, but particularly preferably, their volumetric deviation is no more than 50%. The two sub-modules are arranged remotely from each other, i.e., not directly adjacent. However, all sub-modules are directly adjacent to any battery module or the high-voltage busbar connecting the battery modules. This keeps the high-voltage electrical lines relatively short.

[0008] Due to the modular nature of the battery management system, structural freedom is significantly increased when designing the vehicle floor, allowing the available vehicle length, particularly in the longitudinal direction between the front and rear axles, to be used solely for housing the battery modules. Conversely, in either case, the battery management submodule can be placed in a location where no battery modules are currently located. Furthermore, the battery management submodule can be arranged for collision protection, thereby improving electrical collision safety.

[0009] Preferably, the battery management submodules are electrically interconnected via a high-voltage bus. The high-voltage bus is primarily used for the electrical connection between all battery modules. Therefore, no significant expansion is required to achieve the electrical connection between battery management submodules and between these two battery management submodules.

[0010] Preferably, the two battery management submodules are arranged to be at least 20 cm apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The two battery management submodules are generally electrically connected to each other via a high-voltage bus that also has signal lines.

[0011] Preferably, at least one battery management submodule is arranged on the horizontal plane of the battery modules. The battery management submodule may, for example, be arranged directly adjacent to the foremost or rearmost battery module. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one battery management submodule is particularly preferably arranged between two battery modules in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Preferably, the battery management submodule arranged between two battery modules in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle has free space in the lateral direction on both sides of the adjacent battery module across its width.

[0012] Viewed laterally in the vehicle, the battery management submodule can be arranged, for example, in the vehicle floor between two so-called footrest spaces. In this way, the battery management submodule can be arranged, for example, in the middle of the vehicle in a manner oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. "Footrest space" is understood here as a space that maintains a free interval between the two battery modules in the longitudinal direction, which, in a four- or five-seat vehicle, provides a recess for the lower limbs of rear passengers.

[0013] Preferably, at least one battery management submodule extends symmetrically along the vehicle's lateral direction, exceeding at least 50% of the lateral extension dimension of the adjacent foremost or rearmost battery module. These two lateral ends of the battery management submodule decrease in their longitudinal extension dimension at the height of the edge region of the adjacent foremost or rearmost battery module. This reduction in the lateral ends of the battery management submodule can be achieved in an inclined manner, such that the overall lateral extension dimension of the battery management submodule is not reduced, but the longitudinal extension dimension is correspondingly reduced in the edge region. This reduction can also be achieved by complete omission, i.e., the lateral extension dimension of the battery management submodule is less than 90% of the lateral extension dimension of the adjacent battery module. Because the longitudinal extension dimension of the lateral ends of the battery management submodule is reduced, this battery management submodule can also be arranged between the wheel suspensions of the axle in the region of the front or rear axle. In this way, the battery management submodule in question is located in the same lateral plane as the battery module, without reducing the structural space available for the battery module in the longitudinal direction between the front and rear axles in the vehicle floor.

[0014] Preferably, at least one battery management submodule can be arranged above the lower battery module, and particularly preferably centered with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle, for example, in the area of ​​the front center console between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat. In this case, the battery management submodule can be arranged in a manner that orients its longitudinal extension dimension in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0015] In general, the present invention discloses the following technical solution 1, and the following 2-8 are preferred technical solutions:

[0016] 1. A traction battery assembly (10; 10') for a motor vehicle, comprising: a plurality of battery modules (101-106) arranged in a vehicle floor on a single horizontal plane (XY), an electrical battery management system, and a high-voltage bus (20), the high-voltage bus electrically connecting all the battery modules (101-106) and the battery management system to each other, wherein the battery management system is used to monitor all the battery modules (101-106) and has at least one contactor as a functional component (36, 37, 38, 39) and a temperature monitoring device and / or voltage monitoring device for each battery module (101-106).

[0017] Its features are,

[0018] The battery management system consists of at least two battery management sub-modules (30, 31; 31, 33), each of which has a portion of the whole of all functional components (36, 37, 38) and is arranged to be far apart from each other.

[0019] 2. The vehicle traction battery assembly (10; 10') according to the aforementioned 1, wherein two battery management submodules (30, 31; 31, 33) are arranged to be spaced apart from each other by at least 20 cm in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the vehicle.

[0020] 3. The vehicle traction battery assembly (10; 10') according to any one of 1-2 above, wherein the battery management submodules (30, 31; 31, 33) are electrically connected to each other via the high-voltage bus (20).

[0021] 4. The vehicle traction battery assembly (10; 10') according to any one of the preceding 1-3, wherein at least one battery management submodule (31; 33) is arranged on the horizontal plane of the battery module (101-106).

[0022] 5. The vehicle traction battery assembly (10; 10') according to any one of 1-4 above, wherein at least one battery management submodule (31) is arranged between two battery modules (104, 105) in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the vehicle.

[0023] 6. The vehicle traction battery assembly (10; 10') according to the preceding 5, wherein the battery management submodule (31) is arranged on two lateral sides between two battery modules (104, 105) in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the vehicle, and free space is provided in the width of the adjacent battery modules (101-106).

[0024] 7. The vehicle traction battery assembly (10') according to any one of 1-6 above, wherein at least one battery management submodule (33) extends symmetrically in the vehicle lateral direction (X) over at least 50% of the lateral extension dimension of the adjacent foremost or rearmost battery module (106), wherein the two lateral ends of the battery management submodule (33) decrease in their longitudinal extension dimension at the height of the edge region of the adjacent foremost or rearmost battery module (106).

[0025] 8. The vehicle traction battery assembly (10) according to any one of 1-7 above, wherein at least one battery management submodule (30) is arranged above the battery module (101, 102) arranged below and is centered about the vehicle in the lateral direction (X). Attached Figure Description

[0026] Two embodiments of the present invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of a traction battery assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The traction battery assembly has a first battery management submodule located at the front of the battery module horizontal plane and a second battery management submodule located at the rear of the battery module horizontal plane.

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a motor vehicle traction battery assembly is shown, the assembly having two battery management sub-modules located on a horizontal plane of the battery module, and

[0029] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 and Figure 2 Schematic diagram of these two battery management submodules. Detailed Implementation

[0030] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2The embodiments of the vehicle traction battery assembly 10 and 10' are shown respectively. The vehicle 8 has an electric traction drive (not shown). Between the front axle 12 and the rear axle 13 of the vehicle, a total of six battery modules 101-106 are arranged in the vehicle floor on a single horizontal plane XY. Each battery module 101-106 has its own rigid battery module housing that tightly conceals the individual battery cells inside the battery module. Each battery module 101-106 extends substantially across the entire lateral extension dimension X of the vehicle 8 or across the entire lateral extension dimension X of the front axle 12 or the rear axle 13. Here, Z is used to indicate the vertical direction or the vertical axis of the vehicle.

[0031] Battery modules 101-106 are grouped as follows: four battery modules 101-104 are arranged directly adjacent to each other adjacent to the front axle 12, and two battery modules 105 and 106 are arranged directly adjacent to each other adjacent to the rear axle 13, wherein all battery modules 101-106 are arranged longitudinally between the front axle 12 and the rear axle 13. A free space 50 with a longitudinal length of approximately two battery modules is provided between the four front battery modules 101-104 and the two rear battery modules 105 and 106, which serves as a footrest for the lower limbs of rear passengers.

[0032] Battery modules 101-106 are electrically connected and interconnected with each other via high-voltage bus 20. High-voltage bus 20 has (in...) Figure 3 (The diagram shows) multiple high-voltage lines 22 and multiple signal lines 24, and the high-voltage busbar is electrically connected to the drive control device 16.

[0033] exist Figure 1 In this embodiment, the electrical battery management system is implemented by two battery management sub-modules 30 and 31, each having multiple functional components 36-39 arranged remotely from each other. The functional components 36-39 are a smoke and fire separation system and, respectively, a contactor, a temperature monitoring device, and a voltage monitoring device for each battery module 101-106.

[0034] Each battery management submodule 30, 31 has its own metal submodule housing and is designed to be generally square and elongated. The rear battery management submodule 31 is arranged in the longitudinal direction Y of the vehicle between the fourth battery module and the fifth battery modules 104, 105, in a manner that it lies flat on the horizontal plane of all battery modules 101-106, particularly in a manner that the longitudinal extension dimension of submodule 31 is oriented in the longitudinal direction Y of the vehicle. The rear battery management submodule 31 is arranged below and adjacent to the high-voltage busbar 20, and divides the free space 50 into a right half and a left half.

[0035] The front battery management submodule 30 is positioned above the first and second battery modules 101, 102, and directly above and adjacent to the central high-voltage busbar 20. Furthermore, the front battery management submodule 30 is centrally positioned with respect to the vehicle's lateral direction X. Since each battery management submodule 30, 31 only contains a portion of all the functional components 36-39 of the battery management system, these two submodules 30, 31 are electrically connected to each other via high-voltage line 22 and signal line 24.

[0036] exist Figure 2 The image shows a second embodiment of the traction battery assembly 10' for a motor vehicle. Here, the front battery management submodule 31 and... Figure 1 This corresponds to the battery management submodule 31 at the rear of the first embodiment shown in the image. Figure 2 In the second embodiment shown, the rear battery management submodule 33 is arranged in a beam-like manner directly adjacent to the rearmost battery module 106 and lies flat on the horizontal plane XY of all battery modules 101-106. The rear battery management submodule 33 is arranged between the two wheels of the rear axle 13. For this reason, the two lateral ends 34, 34' of the battery management submodule 33 are reduced in their longitudinal extension dimension at the height of the edge region of the adjacent rearmost battery module 106, and are correspondingly tilted in the present case.

Claims

1. A traction battery assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a plurality of battery modules arranged in a vehicle floor on a single horizontal plane (XY), an electrical battery management system, and a high-voltage busbar, wherein the high-voltage busbar electrically connects all the battery modules and the battery management system to each other, wherein the battery management system is used to monitor all the battery modules and has at least one contactor as a functional component, and a temperature monitoring device and / or voltage monitoring device for each battery module. Its features are, The battery management system consists of at least two battery management sub-modules, each of which has a portion of all functional components and is arranged to be far apart from each other. as well as The battery management submodules are electrically connected to each other via the high-voltage busbar, and at least one battery management submodule is arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the vehicle between two battery modules and located below and adjacent to the high-voltage busbar.

2. The vehicle traction battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the two battery management submodules are arranged to be spaced apart from each other by at least 20 cm in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle traction battery assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one battery management submodule is arranged on the horizontal plane of the battery module.

4. The vehicle traction battery assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the battery management submodule, arranged on two lateral sides between two battery modules in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the vehicle, has free space in the width of the adjacent battery modules.

5. The vehicle traction battery assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one battery management submodule extends symmetrically in the vehicle lateral direction (X) over at least 50% of the lateral extension dimension of the adjacent foremost or rearmost battery module, wherein the two lateral ends of the battery management submodule decrease in their longitudinal extension dimension at the height of the edge region of the adjacent foremost or rearmost battery module.

6. The vehicle traction battery assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one battery management submodule is arranged above the battery module arranged below and is centered with respect to the vehicle's lateral direction (X).

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