Housing element for battery and battery having such housing element

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing element of a battery (1), said housing element (2) being designed to be connected to a further housing element (3) in the form of an interior (4) formed together in order to receive a plurality of battery cells (20), wherein the housing element (2) forms a first temperature control structure (51) and a cover element (6) forming a second temperature control structure (52) is connected to the housing element (2) such that a flow chamber (5) through which a temperature control fluid (7) can flow is defined in a fluid-tight manner, wherein the first temperature control structure (51) and the second temperature control structure (52) are arranged inside the flow chamber (5) and are arranged in such a way that a temperature control fluid (7) can flow around the flow chamber (5), a first element (81) of a battery control device is arranged on the housing element (2) in a heat-conducting manner and a second element (82) of the battery control device is arranged on the cover element (6) in a heat-conducting manner, wherein the flow chamber (5) comprises a plurality of regions (9), in which the first temperature control structure (51) and the second temperature control structure (52) are each formed differently.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a housing element for a battery of the type specified in the independent claim. A battery having such a housing element is also the subject matter of the invention. Background Art

[0002] The battery module has a plurality of individual battery cells, each of which has a positive voltage tap and a negative voltage tap, wherein in order to connect a plurality of battery cells in conductive series and / or in parallel with one another, the corresponding voltage taps can be conductively connected to one another and thus can be connected to form a battery module. In particular, the battery cells can each have a first voltage tap, in particular a positive voltage tap, and a second voltage tap, in particular a negative voltage tap, which are conductively connected to one another by means of a cell connector, thereby forming a series and / or parallel electrical connection. In addition, the battery modules themselves are connected to form batteries or entire battery systems.

[0003] Lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery cells generate heat due to their internal chemical conversion processes, primarily during rapid energy output or energy absorption in the battery system. The more efficient the battery system, the greater its heat generation, and an effective active thermal management system is necessary.

[0004] For example, the prior art includes the publication DE 10 2018 220 937 and the unpublished publication DE 10 2021 200040, which each describe a housing element for a battery, which serves to control the temperature of a plurality of battery cells.

[0005] In addition, the publication DE 10 2019 214 199 is prior art in this respect, which discloses a battery with two cooling levels. In particular, the two cooling levels are fluidically connected by means of a connection piece, so that a common temperature control can be achieved. The supply of the temperature control can be carried out, for example, via a connecting pipe to the vehicle interface and thus to the cooling circuit of the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0006] A housing element of a battery having the features of the independent claim has the advantage that an optimized temperature control of the battery controller, in particular the first element of the battery controller and the second element of the battery controller, can be provided. In particular, the temperature control can be optimized with regard to the pressure loss of the coolant, the heat conduction and the ventilability of the flow chamber.

[0007] To this end, a housing element of a battery is provided according to the present invention. Here, the housing element is constructed to be connected to another housing element while constructing an internal space formed together. Here, a plurality of battery cells can be accommodated in this internal space. Here, the housing element constitutes a first temperature control structure. In addition, a cover element is connected to the housing element in such a way that a flow chamber is defined, which is constructed in a manner that a temperature control fluid can flow through. Here, the cover element constitutes a second temperature control structure. Here, the first temperature control structure and the second temperature control structure are arranged inside the flow chamber. In addition, the first temperature control structure and the second temperature control structure are arranged in a manner that a temperature control fluid can flow around. Here, a first element of a battery control mechanism is arranged thermally conductively at the housing element, and a second element of the battery control mechanism is arranged thermally conductively at the cover element. According to the present invention, the flow chamber includes a plurality of regions in which the first temperature control structure and / or the second temperature control structure are respectively constructed differently.

[0008] Advantageous developments and improvements of the device described in the independent claim are made possible by the measures listed in the dependent claims.

[0009] It is expedient if the first element of the battery control unit is arranged directly adjacent to the first temperature control structure and the second element of the battery control unit is arranged directly adjacent to the second temperature control structure. This allows a particularly reliable and optimally designed heat transfer to be realized.

[0010] In particular, the first element of the battery control is arranged on the side of the housing element facing away from the cover element, and in particular the second element of the battery control is arranged on the side of the cover element facing the interior. In other words, this means that, for example, a temperature control surface is formed on the upper side of the housing element and on the lower side of the cover element. On this upper side, for example, the first element of the battery control can be arranged, and on this lower side, for example, the second element of the battery control can be arranged.

[0011] Furthermore, preferably for improved thermal connection of the first element of the battery control to the housing element and of the second element of the battery control to the cover element, a thermal compensation material can be arranged, in particular between the first element of the battery control and the housing and between the second element of the battery control and the cover element, respectively. Such a thermal compensation material can preferably be a so-called spacer, a so-called gap filler or an adhesive that is designed to be thermally conductive.

[0012] It is expedient if the first element of the battery control is a voltage converter, in particular a DC voltage converter, and / or if the second element of the battery control is an overcurrent protection device.

[0013] DC voltage converters are also known as DC / DC converters and are used to convert a DC voltage supplied at an input into a regulated or unregulated DC voltage, the voltage level of which can be inverted at the output to be higher, lower or isolated from the supplied DC current.

[0014] Overcurrent protection devices are also known as DC circuit breakers and are used to interrupt a circuit when the current therein exceeds a specified current intensity, in particular for a predetermined time. Such overcurrent protection devices can be designed, for example, as fuses or as circuit breakers.

[0015] In particular, not only the DC voltage converter but also the overcurrent protection mechanism can be arranged on their own circuit board. It should be noted here that a circuit board (Printed Circuit Board or PCB for short) or also known as a printed circuit board is in principle a carrier element of an electronic component, which is used in particular to mechanically fix the circuit board and electrically connect it to each other. The electronic components are used here to regulate and monitor the current. For this purpose, the circuit board includes an electrically insulating material, on or in which an electrically conductive connection, a so-called conductor track, is also arranged, which conductor track is preferably made of copper. In particular, the electronic component is connected to the circuit board in a material-locked manner, for example, preferably by soldering, so that an electrically conductive connection to the conductor track is also constructed.

[0016] In addition, these electronic components, such as DC voltage converters or overcurrent protection mechanisms, can each include a plurality of individual switching mechanisms. The switching mechanism is used in principle to convert the circuit so that it is either open or closed. These switching mechanisms can be constructed as semiconductor switches, which are also known as transistors, metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (or MOSFETs for short) or bipolar transistors with insulated gates (or IGBTs for short). In addition, the switching mechanism can also be constructed as a relay, which is in principle a switch operated by current, usually with two switch positions, and in which the electrical contacts can be opened and closed by electromagnetic force, for example. In particular, such switching mechanisms are arranged in groups and at different positions. It should be noted here that the first element of the battery control mechanism and the second element of the battery control mechanism can each include a plurality of individual switching mechanisms.

[0017] Such a switching mechanism heats up, in particular during the operation of the battery, and should therefore be cooled. Thus, a plurality of regions are formed, which are subject to different heating and thus have different cooling requirements.

[0018] It should be noted here that, for example, DC voltage converters and overcurrent protection devices also have different heat dissipation requirements. In particular, heat dissipation can be provided by means of the embodiment according to the invention of the housing element of the battery, which can optimally take into account the different requirements just described.

[0019] It is particularly suitable that the first temperature control structure includes a plurality of first flow disrupting elements and the second temperature control structure includes a plurality of second flow disrupting elements. Here, the differently constructed areas respectively have different arrangement densities, different diameters and / or different heights of the first flow disrupting elements and / or the second flow disrupting elements. The arrangement density describes the number of the first flow disrupting elements or the second flow disrupting elements within a specific surface. It should be noted that the flow disrupting elements are constructed to not only expand the surface of heat transfer but also to improve heat conduction. In particular, the flow disrupting elements are used to disrupt the flow of the flowing temperature control fluid and thereby increase the turbulence of the flowing temperature control fluid and thereby in particular enable the transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow, thereby significantly improving heat conduction.

[0020] In particular, the first flow disrupting element and the second flow disrupting element each have a circular cross section. Preferably, the first flow disrupting element and the second flow disrupting element can each be arranged offset relative to one another.

[0021] It is particularly preferred that the housing element is designed as a die-cast housing. In particular, the cover element is also designed as a die-cast component. In particular, the first flow disrupting element and the second flow disrupting element can be formed during a corresponding die-casting process.

[0022] Advantageously, in the first region, not only components of the first element of the battery control mechanism but also components of the second element of the battery control mechanism are arranged, and in addition, a first flow-disrupting element is constructed on the housing element and a second flow-disrupting element is constructed on the cover element. It should be noted here that the components can include, for example, a switching mechanism, such as, in particular, a MOSFET. In other words, this means that in the first region, components or components of the battery control mechanism to be temperature-controlled are arranged on both sides of the flow chamber, and these components or components can also be reliably dissipated. In particular, the first height of the first flow-disrupting element and the height of the second flow-disrupting element are constructed identically to each other. Thus, a symmetrical structure can be provided. In addition, it is also possible that the first height of the first flow-disrupting element and the height of the second flow-disrupting element are different. Thus, an asymmetrical structure can be provided. Such an asymmetrical structure provides the advantage that different temperature control requirements can be optimally taken into account. In particular, compared with a lower height when the temperature control requirements are lower, a higher temperature control requirement can be handled with a larger height. Furthermore, the first flow disrupting element and the second flow disrupting element should be designed to be spaced apart from one another, so that a uniform flow guidance of the temperature control fluid can be achieved.

[0023] Furthermore, it is advantageous that only components of the first element of the battery control mechanism are arranged in the second region and that only the first flow-disrupting element is formed on the housing element. Furthermore, it is also advantageous that only components of the second element of the battery control mechanism are arranged in the second region and that only the second flow-disrupting element is formed on the cover element. It should be noted that the components can include, for example, switching mechanisms, such as, in particular, MOSFETs. In other words, this means that components or components of the battery mechanism to be temperature-controlled are arranged on one side of the flow chamber in the second region, thereby also being able to reliably dissipate heat from these components or components. In particular, it should be noted that the housing element of the battery can include multiple second regions if, for example, components of the first element of the battery control mechanism and components of the second element of the battery control mechanism are arranged alternately. For the sake of completeness, it should also be noted that on the opposite sides, the cover element does not constitute the second flow-disrupting element or the housing element does not constitute the first flow-disrupting element.

[0024] Overall, the embodiment according to the invention of the housing element of the battery offers the advantage that pressure losses can be reduced to a minimum by means of uniform flow guidance, heat conduction can be uniformized and also uniform, improved ventilation can be provided.

[0025] A battery comprising the housing element just described is also the subject of the present invention. Here, the housing element is connected to another housing element while forming an interior space. Here, a plurality of battery cells are accommodated in the interior space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description.

[0027] in:

[0028] Figure 1 A perspective view shows the top side of an embodiment of a housing element according to the invention;

[0029] Figure 2 The underside of an embodiment of a housing element according to the invention is shown in a perspective view;

[0030] Figure 3 A detail of an embodiment of a housing element according to the invention is shown in a perspective view together with a cover element;

[0031] Figure 4 A detail of an embodiment of a housing element according to the invention is shown in a perspective view without an illustration of a cover element;

[0032] Figure 5 The associated covering element is shown;

[0033] Figure 6 shows the flow guidance inside the flow chamber;

[0034] Figure 7 A first sectional view of a battery according to the present invention is shown;

[0035] Figure 8 shows a second sectional view of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0036] Fig. 9 A diagram of a flow disrupting element is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 The top side of an embodiment of a housing element 2 according to the invention of a battery 1 is shown in a perspective view, and Figure 2 The underside of an embodiment of a housing element 2 according to the invention of a battery 1 is shown in a perspective view.

[0038] Battery 1 in Figure 1 and 2The housing element 2 shown in the figure is designed to be connected to another housing element 3 while forming an interior space 4 which is formed together for accommodating a plurality of battery cells 20. In this case, a plurality of battery cells 20 can be accommodated in the interior space 4. The housing element 2 of the battery 1 is designed in this case according to the invention. Figure 1 in and Figure 2 The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is designed as a die-cast housing 200 .

[0039] exist Figure 1 , the first element 81 of the battery control can be seen here. In particular, the first element 81 of the battery control is designed here as a voltage converter 83 and preferably as a DC voltage converter 830. In addition, the first element 81 of the battery control comprises here a first printed circuit board 86, on which components 811, 812, 813 of the first element 81 of the battery control are arranged, for example, a switching element 810, which is designed in particular as a MOSFET. The first element 81 of the battery control is arranged here in a heat-conducting manner on the housing element 2.

[0040] exist Figure 2 In this, the second element 81 of the battery control mechanism can be seen. In particular, the second element 82 of the battery control mechanism is designed as an overcurrent protection mechanism 84. In addition, the second element 82 of the battery control mechanism comprises a second circuit board 87, on which components 821, 822, 823 of the second element 82 of the battery control mechanism are arranged, such as a switching mechanism 820, which is designed in particular as a MOSFET. In addition, from Figure 2 1 and 2 , which are connected to the housing element 1 . The second element 82 of the battery control unit is arranged on the covering element 6 in a heat-conducting manner.

[0041] Figure 3 A detail of an embodiment of a housing element 2 according to the invention is shown in a perspective view together with a cover element 6 , and Figure 4 A detail of an embodiment of a housing element 2 according to the invention is shown in a perspective view without the cover element 6. Figure 5 The associated covering element 6 is shown.

[0042] exist Figure 4 It can first be seen that the housing element 2 forms a first temperature control structure 51 .

[0043] exist Figure 5 It can be seen in FIG. 5 that the cover element 6 forms a second temperature control structure 52 .

[0044] The housing element 2 and the cover element 6 can be connected to one another in such a way that a housing element that can be connected to one another is formed. Figure 4Flow chamber 5 can be seen in FIG. This flow chamber 5 is designed in this case in such a way that a temperature control fluid 7 can flow through it.

[0045] Furthermore, in this case, the first temperature control structure 51 and the second temperature control structure 52 are arranged inside the flow chamber 5 and are arranged in such a way that the temperature control fluid 7 can flow around them.

[0046] In particular, it should be noted here that the first element 81 of the battery control is arranged directly adjacent to the first temperature control structure 51, and the second element 82 of the battery control is arranged directly adjacent to the second temperature control structure 52. In particular, the first element 81 of the battery control is arranged on the side of the housing element 2 facing away from the cover element 6, and the second element 82 of the battery control is arranged on the side of the cover element 6 facing the interior 4.

[0047] Furthermore, it can be seen that the flow chamber 5 comprises a plurality of regions 9. In these regions 9, the first temperature control structure 61 and / or the second temperature control structure 52 are each designed differently.

[0048] The first temperature control structure 51 comprises a plurality of first flow disrupting elements 71 , and the second temperature control structure 52 comprises a plurality of second flow disrupting elements 72 .

[0049] In this case, the differently formed regions 9 can be represented by Figure 4 and 5 It can also be seen that there are different arrangement densities 111 of the first flow disrupting elements 71 and the second flow disrupting elements 72 .

[0050] For example, the housing element 2 and the cover element 6 comprise a first region 91 in which a component 811 of a first element 81 of a battery control unit and a component 821 of a second element 82 of a battery control unit are arranged. In this case, a first flow disrupting element 71 is formed on the housing element 2 and a second flow disrupting element 72 is formed on the cover element 6. In particular, the first flow disrupting element 71 and the second flow disrupting element 72 have a circular cross section 70.

[0051] For example, the housing element 2 and the cover element 6 include a second region 92 in which only the component 812 of the second element 82 of the battery control unit is arranged and only the second flow disrupting element 72 is arranged on the cover element 6. Figure 4 As can be seen, there is no first flow disrupting element 71. Of course, it is also possible to form a second region 92 in which only the component 812 of the first element 81 of the battery control is arranged and only the first flow disrupting element 71 is formed on the housing element 2. In addition, the cover element 6 has no second flow disrupting element 72.

[0052] It can also be seen that the housing element 2 and the cover element 6 can include a third region 93. In this case, both the component 813 of the first element 81 of the battery control system and the component 823 of the second element 82 of the battery control system are arranged in the third region 93. Here, the component 813 and the component 823 are arranged offset from each other. In other words, this means that the third region 93 differs from the first region 91 and the second region 92 in that the component 813 and the component 823 are arranged offset from each other in the third region 93 and the component 811 and the component 821 or the component 812 and the component 822 are arranged opposite each other in the first region 91 and in the second region 92. In addition, in the third region 93, a first flow-disrupting element 71 is arranged on the housing element 2 and a second flow-disrupting element 72 is arranged on the cover element 6, which flow-disrupting elements are also arranged offset from each other and can preferably be embedded in each other.

[0053] In addition, Figure 4 It can be seen that the housing element 2 further comprises an inlet 141 which is designed for introducing the temperature control fluid 7 into the flow chamber 5 , and an outlet 142 which is designed for discharging the temperature control fluid 7 from the flow chamber 5 .

[0054] Figure 6 The flow guide inside the flow chamber 5 is shown. The flow guide forms a U-shaped profile here. In particular, the housing element 2 comprises a flow guide element 73, which serves to delimit the flow chamber 5. In addition, the housing element 2 comprises an intermediate element 74, which is designed to prevent short-circuit flows between the inlet 141 and the outlet 142.

[0055] Figure 7 A first sectional view of a specific embodiment of a battery 1 according to the invention is shown, and Figure 8 A second sectional view of an embodiment of a battery 1 according to the invention is shown.

[0056] Here, firstly a first housing element 2 and a further housing element 3 can be seen, which are connected to one another to form an interior space 4 in which a plurality of battery cells 20 are accommodated.

[0057] Furthermore, a thermal compensation material 15 can be seen, which serves to improve the heat conduction.

[0058] exist Figure 78 and 9. In the figure, the first region 91 can also be seen, in which the component 811 of the first element 81 of the battery control system and the component 821 of the second element 82 of the battery control system are arranged. In addition, the first flow-disrupting element 71 is formed on the housing element 2 and the second flow-disrupting element 72 is formed on the cover element 6.

[0059] exist Figure 8 , two second regions 92 can also be seen, in which only the component 812 of the first element 81 of the battery control system or only the component 822 of the second element 82 of the battery control system are arranged. In addition, only the first flow-disrupting element 71 is formed on the housing element 2 or only the second flow-disrupting element 72 is formed on the cover element 6.

[0060] In addition, Figure 7 , a third region 93 can also be seen in which a component 813 of the first element 81 of the battery control unit and a component 823 of the second element 82 of the battery control unit are arranged, wherein the component 813 and the component 823 are arranged offset to one another. In addition, a first flow-disrupting element 71 is formed on the housing element 2 and a second flow-disrupting element 72 is formed on the cover element 6, wherein the first flow-disrupting element 71 and the second flow-disrupting element 72 are arranged offset to one another.

[0061] exist Figure 7 and 8 Optimized thermal paths between the first element 81 of the battery control unit and the temperature control fluid 7 and between the second element 82 of the battery control unit and the temperature control fluid 7 can be seen here.

[0062] Fig. 9 1 shows a diagram of a flow disrupting element. In particular, a first flow disrupting element 71 and a second flow disrupting element 72 can be seen here, each of which has a diameter 112 and a height 113. It should be noted that in addition to the arrangement density 111 in the first region 91, the second region 92 and the third region 93, the diameter 112 and / or the height 113 can also be designed differently.

Claims

1. A housing element for a battery (1), wherein: The housing element (2) is designed to be connected to another housing element (3) while forming an interior space (4) which is jointly formed for accommodating a plurality of battery cells (20), wherein: The housing element (2) forms a first temperature control structure (51), and a cover element (6) forming a second temperature control structure (52) is connected to the housing element (2), thereby defining a flow chamber (5) through which a temperature control fluid (7) can flow in a fluid-tight manner, wherein: The first temperature control structure (51) and the second temperature control structure (52) are arranged inside the flow chamber (5) and arranged in such a way that a temperature control fluid (7) can flow around them, wherein: The first element (81) of the battery control mechanism is arranged on the housing element (2) in a heat-conducting manner, and The second element (82) of the battery control device is arranged on the cover element (6) in a heat-conducting manner. It is characterized in that The flow chamber (5) comprises a plurality of regions (9), in which the first temperature control structure (51) and the second temperature control structure (52) are respectively designed differently.

2. Housing element according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A first element (81) of the battery control mechanism is arranged directly adjacent to the first temperature control structure (51) and A second element (82) of the battery control device is arranged directly adjacent to the second temperature control structure (52), wherein The first element (81) of the battery control device is arranged in particular on a side of the housing element (2) facing away from the cover element (6) and wherein The second element (82) of the battery control unit is arranged in particular on a side of the cover element (6) facing the interior (4).

3. Housing element according to any one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The first element (81) of the battery control device is a voltage converter (83), in particular a DC voltage converter (830), and / or The second element (82) of the battery control mechanism is an overcurrent protection mechanism (84).

4. Housing element according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that The first temperature control structure (51) comprises a plurality of first flow-disrupting elements (71) and the second temperature control structure (52) comprises a plurality of second flow-disrupting elements (72), wherein The differently designed regions (9) each have a different arrangement density (111), a different diameter (112) and / or a different height (113) of the first flow disrupting elements (71) and / or the second flow disrupting elements (72).

5. Housing element according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The first flow disrupting element (71) and the second flow disrupting element (72) each have a circular cross section (70).

6. Housing element according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, It is characterized in that The housing element (2) is designed as a die-cast housing (200).

7. Housing element according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 6, It is characterized in that A component (811) of a first element (81) of a battery control system and a component (821) of a second element (82) of a battery control system are arranged in a first region (91), wherein A first flow disrupting element (71) is formed on the housing element (2), and a second flow disrupting element (72) is formed on the cover element (6).

8. Housing element according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 7, It is characterized in that In the second area (92), only components (812) of the first element (81) of the battery control device are arranged and Only a first flow disrupting element (71) is formed on the housing element (2), or Only the component (822) of the second element (82) of the battery control mechanism is arranged and Only the second flow disrupting element (72) is formed on the covering element (6).

9. Housing element according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, It is characterized in that The housing element (2) also has an inlet (141) and an outlet (142), wherein The inlet is designed to allow a temperature control fluid (7) to flow into the flow chamber (5), and The outlet is designed to allow the temperature control fluid (7) to flow out of the flow chamber (5).

10. A battery comprising a housing element according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, The housing element is connected to another housing element (3) while forming an interior space (4), and A plurality of battery cells (20) are accommodated in the inner space (4).

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