Battery system and vehicle comprising the same

Abstract

A battery system (10) comprising a battery housing and a plurality of battery cells (12) arranged in a plurality of battery cell groups (13) within the battery housing, wherein each battery cell group (13) comprises a venting side (14) with at least one venting outlet (16) through which a vent gas flow (V) comprising vent products exits the battery cell group (13) in case of a thermal runaway, the battery system (10) further comprising a spacer sheet (30) at the venting side (14) of the battery cell group (13), the spacer sheet (30) forming a separate venting chamber (36), one venting chamber (36) per battery cell group (13), for guiding the vent gas flow exiting the venting outlet (16) away from the battery cell group (13) through an opening (32) in the spacer sheet (30).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery system which allows vented gases emitted in case of thermal runaway to be directed away from adjacent battery cells and to be cooled before leaving the battery system. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle comprising the battery system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, vehicles for transporting goods and people using electric power as a power source have been developed. Such electric vehicles are automobiles driven by electric motors, using energy stored in rechargeable batteries. Electric vehicles can be powered by batteries only, or can be hybrid vehicles powered by, for example, a gasoline generator. Furthermore, vehicles can include a combination of electric motors and conventional internal combustion engines. Generally, an electric vehicle battery (EVB) or traction battery is a battery used to provide power to electric cars (BEV). Electric vehicle batteries are different from starter batteries, lighting batteries, and ignition batteries, as they are designed to supply power for a sustained period of time. A rechargeable battery or secondary cell differs from a primary cell in that it can be repeatedly charged and discharged, whereas a primary cell is only intended to provide a one-way conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy. Low-capacity rechargeable batteries are used as power sources for small electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebook computers, and camcorders, while high-capacity rechargeable batteries are used as power sources for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, etc.

[0003] Generally, a rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a case receiving the electrode assembly, and an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly. An electrolyte solution is injected into the case so as to enable charging and discharging of the battery through electrochemical reactions of the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the electrolyte solution. The shape of the case, for example, cylindrical or rectangular, depends on the intended purpose of the battery. Lithium-ion (and similar lithium-polymer) batteries, which are well known through their use in laptop computers and consumer electronics, dominate the latest developments in electric vehicle packs.

[0004] A rechargeable battery can be used as a battery module formed of a plurality of unit battery cells coupled in series and / or in parallel, in order to provide a high energy content, particularly for motor driving of hybrid vehicles. That is, in order to achieve a high-power rechargeable battery according to the required amount of electricity, a battery module is formed by interconnecting electrode terminals of a plurality of unit battery cells.

[0005] Battery modules can be constructed in a block design or a modular design. In a block design, each battery is coupled to a common current collector structure and a common battery management system, and units thereof are arranged in a housing. In a modular design, multiple battery cells are connected to form a sub-module, and several sub-modules are connected to form a battery module. In automotive applications, a battery system is typically composed of multiple battery modules connected in series for providing a desired voltage. Among them, a battery module can include a sub-module having multiple stacks of battery cells, each stack including a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel (XpYs) or a plurality of battery cells connected in series (XsYp).

[0006] A battery pack is a group of any number (preferably identical) of battery modules. They can be configured in series, parallel, or a mix of both to deliver the required voltage, capacity, or power density. The components of a battery pack include the individual battery modules and interconnections that provide electrical conductivity between them.

[0007] A battery system according to the prior art, regardless of any modular structure, typically includes a battery housing that serves as an enclosure to seal the battery system from the environment and provides structural protection for the components of the battery system. The enclosed battery system is typically installed as a whole in its application environment, such as an electric vehicle.

[0008] To provide thermal control of the enclosed battery cells within the battery housing, a thermal management system can be used to effectively dissipate, release, and / or dissipate the heat generated within the battery housing. Under certain conditions of the battery cells, an increase in internal temperature can cause abnormal reactions to occur in the battery cells. An example of such abnormal operating conditions is thermal runaway in the battery cells, which can be caused by a strongly overheated or overcharged cell. Thermal runaway is a self-accelerating chemical reaction inside the battery cell that generates a large amount of heat and exhaust gases until almost all available materials are depleted. The emitted substances, i.e., the exhausted products, can include hot and toxic exhaust gases and potentially conductive solid substances such as graphite powder and metal fragments.

[0009] The temperature of the exhaust products, especially the temperature of the exhaust gases, can reach temperatures of 1000°C or even higher, especially when thermal runaway occurs in several battery cells simultaneously or within a short period of time. The temperature of the exhaust products is typically still very high when leaving the battery system through the system exhaust element to the environment. This poses a danger to bystanders, as hot exhaust products can cause burns and can ignite a fire.

[0010] The prior art venting concept of battery systems is to let the thermal venting products of battery cells in thermal runaway expand into the battery housing and leave the battery system through a system venting element into the environment of the battery housing. When the venting products escape the battery system, the pressure within the battery system can be kept within a safe range. The system venting element can be dimensioned, for example, according to ISO 4126-6. However, in this design, the venting gas flow can transfer heat or particles onto other cells or conductive parts, which can lead to heat propagation or short circuits, causing thermal runaway of further cells, leading to damage of the entire battery pack and possibly the vehicle.

[0011] From DE 10 2017 212 223 A1 a battery system is known, wherein in case of thermal runaway the venting products leave the battery cells at the bottom through cooling plates directly into a joint venting channel.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to overcome or reduce at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a battery system which minimizes the risk of burns and fires, in particular in a simple and cost-effective manner. SUMMARY

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure seek to address at least one of the problems existing in the prior art, at least to some extent.

[0014] In particular, a battery system for a (electric) vehicle is provided, the battery system comprising a battery housing and a plurality of battery cells within the battery housing. The battery housing can enclose the plurality of battery cells in a cell chamber. The battery cells are arranged in groups. Such a group can be defined by the spatial proximity of its constituent cells, i.e. the cells of one group can be closer to each other than the cells of different groups. Additionally or alternatively, such a group can be defined by its constituent cells being electrically interconnected in a particular way, e.g. in series or in parallel. For example, each group of battery cells can form a battery stack. A plurality of these battery stacks can form a (sub-)module of the battery system.

[0015] Each group of battery cells comprises a venting side with at least one venting outlet. The venting side can also be considered to be the venting side of all battery cells of the battery system, i.e. the groups of battery cells can have the same venting side. In a mounted setup in which the battery system is mounted in a vehicle, the venting side can for example be the top side, or preferably the bottom side, of the battery cells. In case of thermal runaway, a venting gas flow containing venting products leaves the group of battery cells at the venting side through the venting outlet(s).

[0016] As mentioned above, with known venting methods, the vent flow from all battery cells directly enters the cell chamber or the joint discharge channel and unguided flows through the battery housing, leaving the battery system through the system discharge element into the environment of the battery housing. This can lead to the vent flow transferring heat and / or particles to other battery cells or conductive parts, which can lead to heat propagation or short circuits, resulting in thermal runaway of further cells.

[0017] The present invention overcomes this problem, as the spacer of the present invention forms a separate discharge chamber for each battery cell group. The spacer is arranged at the discharge side of the battery cell group, the spacer forming one discharge chamber for each battery cell group. In other words, the one spacer provides a plurality of separate discharge chambers, one for each battery cell group. The discharge chambers are separate in that the vent flow discharged by a battery cell group into one of the chambers cannot enter an adjacent discharge chamber. Thus, each battery cell group has its own discharge chamber into which its vent flow is directed in case of thermal runaway. Thus, for each battery cell group, at least one discharge opening of the respective battery cell group is adjacent to the respective discharge chamber. The discharge chamber can be formed by the spacer in combination with the discharge side of the battery cell group. For example, each discharge opening can be bounded on a first side by the discharge side of the battery cell group and on a second side opposite the first side by the spacer.

[0018] The spacer is adapted or formed such that the vent flow leaving the discharge opening is directed away from the battery cell group through an opening in the spacer, wherein the openings are arranged such that each discharge chamber has at least one opening. Thus, each discharge chamber comprises an opening for allowing the vent flow to leave the respective discharge chamber. The spacer can be considered to function as a (vent) baffle, i.e. as an obstacle or guiding element, guiding the discharge product flow leaving the discharge opening away from the respective battery cell group through the respective opening in the spacer / discharge chamber. The spacer can be formed such that the vent flow can be directed more or less unimpeded away from the cell. The spacer can comprise guiding surfaces to guide the vent flow from the discharge opening along the discharge side and through the opening in the spacer, which will be explained in more detail later. The spacer can be adapted to direct the vent flow along at least a portion of the discharge side towards the opening opening into the discharge opening. The openings can be arranged at the side end of the discharge chamber. The spacer can comprise or consist of deep-drawn metal, i.e. it can be manufactured by deep drawing of a metal sheet, in particular a steel sheet. By this stamping process, the discharge chamber and / or the openings can be formed.

[0019] The main advantage of the present invention is that the exhaust streams do not directly enter a common / collective exhaust channel for the exhaust of all exhaust streams of the unit, but the exhaust streams are first exhausted into separate exhaust chambers. These exhaust chambers reduce the initial exhaust stream temperature by using the thermal mass of these chambers and surrounding components, reducing the pressure of the respective exhaust streams. Furthermore, due to the dedicated exhaust chambers, the exhaust streams are guided away from the battery units, in particular the main high pressure encapsulation area. Thus, the proposed exhaust geometry leads to exhaust products that are sufficiently cooled before leaving the respective exhaust chamber, thereby reducing the risk of damaging other units by heat propagation. Furthermore, the exhaust chambers protect the individual battery unit groups from exhaust streams leaving another unit chamber, as this exhaust stream cannot enter the other exhaust chamber. In particular, the exhaust products leaving the battery system of the present invention towards the environment are at a lower temperature than known battery systems. The arrangement of the discussed parts of the proposed battery system is easily implemented with respect to known designs, practically without added costs.

[0020] With the present invention, the exhaust streams of the battery units do not directly enter the unit chamber, i.e. the collective exhaust channel, but first enter the respective exhaust chamber, as explained. However, the exhaust streams can be guided from each exhaust chamber into a collective exhaust channel, which can guide the exhaust stream(s) via a system outlet to the outside of the battery system. Thus, according to an embodiment, the battery system comprises a cover element facing an exhaust side of the battery unit group, the spacer is arranged between the cover element and the exhaust side, wherein the exhaust channel is arranged between the spacer and the cover element, the exhaust channel connecting the system outlet of the battery housing with the exhaust chamber via an opening in the spacer. Thus, the spacer can also form the collective exhaust channel for all exhaust streams leaving the separate exhaust chambers together with the cover element. On a first side of the spacer, in particular in conjunction with the exhaust side of the battery unit group, the exhaust chamber can be formed, while on a second side of the spacer facing away from the first side, in particular in conjunction with the cover element, the collective exhaust channel can be formed. In an advantageous manner, the pre-cooled exhaust streams leaving the exhaust chamber through the respective openings are merged into one exhaust stream, providing a controlled exhaust path to the system outlet and thus to the environment of the battery system. Thus, the exhaust streams are not only guided from their exhaust outlets through their exhaust chambers, but also through the collective exhaust channel.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the cover element is a bottom cover. The bottom cover can in particular be part of a vehicle underbody protection or a crash protection of a battery housing. In other words, the vehicle underbody or the crash protection can form the bottom cover. Thus, in the installed setup, the battery system is arranged such that the exhaust side is the bottom side, i.e. such that it faces downwards. Thus, the exhaust flow can exit the battery downwards into the adjacent exhaust chamber. Due to the help of gravity, this arrangement can allow the exhaust flow to be particularly well directed. Furthermore, this arrangement can lead to a better contact of the exhaust flow with the walls of the exhaust chamber and thus to a better cooling of the exhaust flow, especially if a cooling plate is provided at the exhaust side of the battery cells, as the exhaust flow can transfer a large amount of heat to this cooling plate. The cooling plate can comprise exhaust holes or exhaust valves as exhaust outlets to allow the exhaust flow to exit the respective group of battery cells.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the group of battery cells is supported by a spacer sheet. In other words, the spacer sheet can hold or carry the group of battery cells within the battery housing. The group of battery cells can be arranged on the spacer sheet. The spacer sheet can be adapted to hold the group of battery cells, in particular, the spacer sheet can comprise fixation means for fixing the battery cells to the spacer sheet. This can allow for an easy installation of the group of battery cells in the battery housing while providing the exhaust chamber. This way, the spacer sheet can fulfill a double function: providing the exhaust chamber and supporting the group of battery cells. Support sheets for supporting currently used groups of battery cells can be used as spacer sheets according to the present application, if these support sheets are adapted to provide the exhaust chamber according to the present application. In particular, the sheets can be deep-drawn to form the exhaust chamber, the openings and / or the guiding surfaces. Thus, no additional components need to be added to the battery system, so that the costs remain roughly the same.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the spacer sheet forms a structural member of the battery system. In other words, the spacer sheet can be used as a structural member of the battery system. As explained above, by being adapted to support the battery cells, the spacer sheet can form such a structural member. However, as a structural member, the spacer sheet can not only support the battery cells, but can also provide stability to the battery system as a whole, e.g. can be used as a cross-brace. In this regard, the spacer sheet can also support the cover element, in particular the bottom cover. Thus, the spacer sheet can be considered as part of the battery structure and used to maintain the structural integrity of the entire system.

[0024] As mentioned above, the spacer, in particular the opening in the spacer, can be formed such that the exhaust flow can be guided away from the cell, preferably more or less without resistance. Thus, according to an embodiment, the spacer comprises a guiding surface for guiding the exhaust flow towards the opening, in particular from the discharge outlet through the discharge chamber to the opening. The spacer can be modified such that each discharge chamber comprises at least one guiding surface. Such a guiding surface can guide the exhaust flow away from the battery cell in a structurally simple and effective way. In other words, a directional component away from the cell can be applied to the exhaust flow. The spacer can comprise a plurality of guiding surfaces adapted to guide the exhaust flow in different directions. For example, a first guiding surface can guide the exhaust flow in a first direction, a second guiding surface can guide the exhaust flow in a second direction, the first and second directions being for example perpendicular to each other. According to a respective embodiment, the guiding surface of the spacer is arranged at a first end of the discharge chamber, and the opening is arranged at a second end of the discharge chamber opposite the first end, such that the exhaust flow is guided from the discharge outlet along the discharge side towards the opening. Thus, the exhaust flow receives a directional component away from the cell to the side. A further guiding surface can be arranged at the opening to even better guide the exhaust flow through the opening. Since the discharge side is the bottom side, the exhaust flow can thus be guided downwards outside the opening. A further guiding surface can be provided to guide the exhaust flow to the center of the discharge chamber.

[0025] According to an embodiment, each group of battery cells forms a cell stack, each stack comprising battery cells electrically connected to each other, for example battery cells electrically connected to each other in parallel or in series, as mentioned above. A plurality of these stacks can form a (sub-)module of the battery system, the stacks also being electrically interconnected. It is advantageous to provide separate discharge chambers for such cell stacks, as these stacks can jointly experience a thermal runaway event, for example due to heat propagation between the cells of the same stack.

[0026] According to an embodiment, the battery system comprises a plurality of rows of groups of battery cells, wherein for each row of groups of battery cells a spacer is arranged at the discharge side of the groups of battery cells. Thus, for each row, the respective spacer forms a separate discharge chamber, one for each group of battery cells, for guiding the exhaust flow leaving the discharge outlet away from the group of battery cells through the opening in the spacer. In other words, the battery system can comprise a plurality of spacers, each spacer providing a discharge chamber for a plurality of groups of battery cells, for example for a row of groups of battery cells, likewise one discharge chamber for each group. These spacers can each carry their respective groups of battery cells and can serve as a structural member.

[0027] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle is provided that includes the battery system described above. The battery system is preferably integrated into the vehicle's underbody construction, which allows the battery system to have a substantially flat shape. As described above, the cover element can be part of this underbody construction. This vehicle is advantageous because, in the event of thermal runaway, the discharged products are adequately cooled by a separate discharge chamber before entering the combined discharge channel. Therefore, the risk of heat propagation and consequently thermal runaway of other batteries is reduced or prevented, and damage to the vehicle can be prevented.

[0028] Other aspects of this disclosure may be learned from the dependent claims or the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a battery system according to one embodiment is shown;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view is shown. Figure 1 One of the isolation panels;

[0032] Figure 3 Partially shown along Figure 2 The separator and battery cell assembly cut along line II-II; and

[0033] Figure 4 It shows along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of line III-III. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The effects and features of exemplary embodiments and methods of implementation thereof will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted. However, this disclosure may be implemented in a variety of different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments shown herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey aspects and features of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0035] Therefore, processes, elements, and techniques that are not considered essential for a person skilled in the art to fully understand the aspects and features of this disclosure may not be described. In the accompanying drawings, the relative dimensions of elements, layers, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0036] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Furthermore, in describing embodiments of this disclosure, the use of “may” means “one or more embodiments of this disclosure.” In the following description of embodiments of this disclosure, singular terms may include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0037] It will be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" are used to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first element may be named a second element, and similarly, a second element may be named a first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items. When following an element in a column, expressions such as "...at least one of..." modify the entire column of elements, without modifying any individual element in that column.

[0038] As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and similar terms are used as approximate terms rather than terms of degree, intended to describe the inherent bias of the measured or calculated value as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, if the term “substantially” is used in conjunction with a feature that can be expressed numerically, the term “substantially” indicates a range of + / - 5% of the value centered on that value.

[0039] It will be further understood that the terms “including,” “comprising,” “including…” or “containing…” indicate characteristics, areas, fixed quantities, steps, processes, elements, components, and combinations thereof, but do not exclude other characteristics, areas, fixed quantities, steps, processes, elements, components, and combinations thereof.

[0040] It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "above" or "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or there may be an intermediate element present.

[0041] Here, the terms "top" and "bottom" are defined according to the z-axis. For example, the top cover is located at the upper part of the z-axis, while the bottom cover is located at the lower part of the z-axis. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of the components may be enlarged for clarity. For example, in the accompanying drawings, the dimensions or thickness of each component may be arbitrarily shown for illustrative purposes, and therefore the embodiments of this disclosure should not be construed as limiting thereto.

[0042] In the following description of embodiments of this disclosure, singular terms may include plural terms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in a general dictionary, shall be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the relevant field and / or the context of this specification, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly defined herein.

[0044] Figure 1 An embodiment of a battery system 10 for an electric vehicle according to the present invention is shown, comprising a plurality of battery cells 12 and a bottom cover 20 as part of a battery housing. In this embodiment, the battery cells 12 are cylindrical cells, but they may also have different shapes. The battery cells 12 are arranged in battery cell groups 13, with adjacent battery cell groups 13 spatially spaced apart from each other along multiple rows 15. The battery cells 12 in each battery cell group 13 are connected by... Figure 4 The electrical connection mechanisms 17 shown are electrically interconnected to form a battery stack. Adjacent battery cell groups 13 in the same row 15 can be electrically interconnected to each other, and adjacent rows 15 of battery cell groups 13 can also be electrically interconnected to each other, so that the entire battery cell 12 forms a battery module, wherein the battery cell groups 13 and / or rows 15 serve as sub-modules.

[0045] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 Each battery cell group 13, and therefore all battery cells 12, includes a discharge side 14 on the bottom side, wherein each battery cell group has at least one discharge port 16 through which an exhaust flow V, including discharge products, can exit the battery cell group 13 in the event of thermal runaway. Thus, the battery cells 12 are arranged to discharge the exhaust flow downward toward the bottom cover 20.

[0046] The battery system 10 further includes separators 30, wherein each row 15 of the battery cell group 13 is supported on a separator 30. Thus, each separator 30 is arranged on the discharge side 14 of its battery cell group 13. Figure 1 In the first two rows 15, some battery cell groups 13 are not shown to allow the view of the separator 30 below. The separator 30 serves as a structural member supporting their respective battery cell groups 13. Furthermore, the battery system 10 includes a support pillar 22 extending parallel to the separator 30, which provides stability to the entire battery system 10. The separator 30 can be supported by the support pillar 22. Therefore, the separator 30 itself can also provide stability to the entire battery system 10.

[0047] According to the invention, the separator 30 forms separate discharge chambers 36, such that each battery cell group 13 in each row 15 is provided with a discharge chamber 36. These discharge chambers 16 are used to guide the exhaust flow V leaving the discharge outlet 16 away from the battery cell group 13 through the openings 32 in the separator 30, as will be explained below. Figure 2 One of the separator plates 30 is shown, in which equidistant openings 32 can be seen. The separator plate 30 has the shape of a shallow groove or channel and the shallow groove or channel has a recess extending along the x-axis. In other words, the separator plate 30 includes two longitudinal profile tracks 33 and a downwardly narrowing channel bottom 34 with inclined sidewalls 35 inclined relative to the y-axis.

[0048] When the battery cell pack 13 is arranged on the separator 30, the bottom 34 of the channel with inclined sidewalls 35 forms a discharge chamber 36 in conjunction with the discharge side 14 (particularly with the carrier element 18). The battery cell pack 13 is arranged on the separator 30 such that one battery cell pack 13 is placed between every two adjacent openings 32, as in Figure 3 and Figure 4 Visible in the middle. Therefore, the discharge chamber 36 is defined upward by the discharge side 14 (or carrier element 18) forming the first side, and downward by the partition plate 30 forming the second side opposite to the first side. The discharge chamber 36 is further defined to the side by the sidewall member 39. The partition plate 30 can be manufactured by deep drawing (metal) sheet, wherein the discharge chamber 36 including the sidewall member 39 can be stamped by such stamping method. The opening 32 can be manufactured simultaneously. The sidewall member 39 is in Figure 4 The middle one is the clearest.

[0049] In the event of thermal runaway, in the first step, the exhaust stream V, comprising the thermally exhausted gas and products, exits through the exhaust port 16 on the exhaust side 14. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The battery cell assembly 13 is shown. An exhaust valve can be provided at the exhaust port 16. In the second step, the exhaust gas expands into the exhaust chamber 36, causing the pressure of the exhaust gas to decrease, and the temperature of the exhaust gas to decrease by utilizing the thermal mass of the exhaust chamber 36. Furthermore, the exhaust flow V is guided downwards to the inclined sidewall 35 of the separator 30, reaching the center of the channel bottom 34, and thus the center of the exhaust chamber 36, whereby the inclined sidewall 35 thus acts as a first guiding surface. The inclined sidewall 35 can... Figure 3 As seen in, but in Figure 4 Not shown in the diagram. Sidewall member 39 can serve as a second guiding surface, wherein the right sidewall member 39a guides the exhaust flow V to the left toward the left sidewall member 39b, and the left sidewall member 39b guides the exhaust flow V through the opening 32. (As can be seen in...) Figure 4As seen in the diagram, the sidewall member 39 of an exhaust chamber 36 serves not only as a guiding surface for the exhaust flow of the exhaust chamber 36, but also as a guiding surface for the exhaust flow of adjacent exhaust chambers, since the sidewall member 39 forms a partition wall separating two adjacent exhaust chambers.

[0050] In the third step, the exhaust flow V is guided away from the battery cell group 13 and enters the exhaust channel 40 through the opening 32. The exhaust channel 40 is arranged between the separator 30 and the bottom cover 20. See [reference needed] Figure 4 When entering the discharge passage 40, the exhaust flow V can join the main exhaust flow V flowing along the discharge passage 40. m Main exhaust flow V m It consists of exhaust streams from other battery cell groups. Exhaust channel 40 passes through opening 32. Figure 1 The system outlet 38 of the battery casing, schematically shown, is connected to the exhaust chamber 36. In the fourth step, an exhaust valve at the system outlet 38 is provided to open under a certain pressure, allowing the main exhaust flow V to... m Released into the environment of battery system 10.

[0051] Because of the discharge chamber 36, the exhaust flow V leaving one of the battery cell groups 13 does not directly enter the discharge channel 40, but instead must first pass through the discharge chamber 36. Due to its thermal mass, the discharge chamber 36 lowers the temperature of the exhaust flow V before it enters the combined / main discharge channel 40. The discharge chamber 36 thus acts as a buffer space for the exhaust flow V, where it can be pre-cooled before entering the discharge channel 40. Furthermore, the battery cell group 13 is protected because the separator 30, with its dedicated discharge chamber 36 and guide surfaces 35, 39, directs the exhaust flow V away from the battery cell 12 toward the opening 32. Therefore, exhaust products do not deposit on the cells. The separator 30 thus functions as a baffle.

[0052] Therefore, the proposed exhaust geometry ensures that the exhaust products are sufficiently cooled before leaving the respective exhaust chamber, thereby reducing the risk of damaging other cells through heat transfer. Furthermore, the exhaust chambers protect the respective battery cell groups from exhaust flows leaving other exhaust chambers, as these flows are less likely to enter those chambers. Additionally, the exhaust products leaving the battery system of the present invention towards the environment are at a lower temperature than those of known battery systems. Compared to known designs, the arrangement of the discussed portions of the proposed battery system is easily implemented with virtually no additional cost.

[0053] Figure Labels

[0054] 10 Battery System

[0055] 12 battery cells

[0056] 13 Battery cell packs

[0057] 14 Discharge side

[0058] 15 rows of battery cell packs

[0059] 16 discharge outlets

[0060] 17. Connecting Mechanism

[0061] 18 Carrier Components

[0062] 20 Bottom Cover

[0063] 22 pillars

[0064] 30 isolation panels

[0065] 32. Openings in the isolation sheet

[0066] 33 Contour Guide Rail

[0067] 34. Bottom of the channel

[0068] 35 Inclined sidewall

[0069] 36 Discharge Chamber

[0070] 38 System Export

[0071] 40 Main discharge channel

[0072] V exhaust flow

[0073] V m Main exhaust flow

Claims

1. A battery system (10) comprising a battery housing and a plurality of battery cells (12) arranged in a plurality of battery cell groups (13) within the battery housing, wherein each battery cell group (13) includes a discharge side (14) having at least one discharge port (16), wherein, in the event of thermal runaway, an exhaust flow (V) including discharge products exits the battery cell group (13) through the discharge port, the battery system (10) further comprising a separator (30) at the discharge side (14) of the battery cell group (13), the separator (30) including two longitudinal profile tracks (33) and having extending between the longitudinal profile tracks (33). The bottom (34) of the channel with the inclined sidewall (35) has an opening (32) provided at the bottom (34) of the channel, and the separator (30) is configured to cover the discharge side such that the bottom (34) of the channel with the inclined sidewall (35) and the discharge side (14) form a separate discharge chamber (36) in combination, one discharge chamber (36) for each battery cell group (13), wherein one of the openings (32) is provided for each discharge chamber (36), and each discharge chamber (36) is adapted to guide the exhaust flow leaving the discharge outlet (16) away from the battery cell group (13) through the corresponding opening (32) in the separator (30).

2. The battery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The battery system (10) includes a cover element (20) facing the discharge side (14) of the battery cell group (13), an isolation plate (30) is disposed between the cover element (20) and the discharge side (14), wherein a discharge channel (40) is disposed between the isolation plate (30) and the cover element (20), the discharge channel (40) connecting the system outlet (38) of the battery housing to the discharge chamber (36) via the opening (32) in the isolation plate (30).

3. The battery system (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The cover element is a bottom cover (20).

4. The battery system (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The bottom cover (20) is part of the bottom of the battery casing (20).

5. The battery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The battery cell group (13) is supported by the separator (30).

6. The battery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The separator (30) forms a structural component of the battery system (10).

7. The battery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The isolation plate (30) includes guide surfaces (35, 39) for guiding the exhaust flow toward the opening (32).

8. The battery system (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The guide surface (39) of the isolation plate (30) is arranged at the first end of the discharge chamber (36), and the opening (32) is arranged at the second end of the discharge chamber (36) opposite to the first end, such that the exhaust flow is guided from the outlet (16) along the discharge side (14) toward the opening (32).

9. The battery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, Each battery cell group (13) forms a cell stack, and each cell stack includes battery cells (12) that are electrically connected in parallel or in series with each other.

10. The battery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The battery system (10) includes multiple rows (15) of battery cell groups (13), wherein, for each row (15) of battery cell group (13), the separator (30) is arranged on the discharge side (14) of the battery cell group (13), each separator (30) forming a separate discharge chamber (36), one discharge chamber (36) for each battery cell group (13) in the corresponding row (15), for guiding the exhaust flow leaving the discharge port (16) away from the battery cell group (13) through an opening (32) in the separator (30).

11. An electric vehicle comprising a battery system (10) according to any one of claims 1-10.

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