Cell management controller for battery module

Abstract

A cell management controller (16) for a battery module having a plurality of battery cells, which is compact and reliably designed, has two rows of a plurality of cell connectors (18) along a longitudinal direction (13) of the battery module (10), which cell connectors comprise signal sources (20, 22), for electrically conductively connecting cell terminals of different battery cells (12); a plurality of conductors (24) for conducting a signal (24), each of which is coupled to a signal source (20, 22) on one of the plurality of individual connectors (18); and an electronics unit (30), which is arranged between the cell connectors in an end region of the battery module (10) facing the longitudinal direction end side (28). The electronic unit (30), which is simply and reliably integrated into the battery module, comprises a circuit board (32), on which a signal management circuit (34) is mounted and which has a plurality of electrical contacts (38) for each electrical connection of the signal management circuit (34) to one of the plurality of conductors (24); the invention relates to a battery module (10) having a battery module end face (28) and a connection slot (40) for inserting a circuit board (32), the connection slot (40) having a socket (42) on its edge facing away from the battery module end face (28) for connecting a conductor (24) therein to an electrical contact (38) of the circuit board (32).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cell management controller (CMC) for a battery module having a plurality of battery cells, and to a battery module having such a cell management controller. Background Art

[0002] The cell management controller (CMC) monitors the individual battery cells of the battery module in order to, for example, carry out charging processes, voltage and charge state balancing, temperature control processes, etc. for the battery cells, and requires a cell contact system for contacting the battery cells in order to obtain corresponding measurement signals of the potential and temperature of the battery cells, and an electronic system for receiving and analyzing the measurement signals obtained by the cell contact system. The cell contact system usually includes a plurality of cell connectors for electrically conductively connecting different battery cells in one row on each of the two longitudinal sides of the battery module, wherein a signal source is also provided on the cell connector. The electronic system usually includes a printed circuit board arranged over the entire length of the battery module between the two rows of cell connectors, the printed circuit board having a signal management circuit for analyzing the measurement signals, or the printed circuit board usually has a connection interface to the external signal management circuit, and a plurality of signal lines, which are each used to conduct the measured value of one of the plurality of cell connectors to the signal management circuit or the connection interface. Conventional individual management controllers usually require a high level of manufacturing and assembly effort for mounting the printed circuit board and connecting the signal sources to the signal line system formed by the printed circuit board. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to create an improved single-unit supervisory control unit of compact and reliable construction, in which the electronic system can be installed as simply and reliably as possible and can also be maintained, dismantled and replaced as simply and reliably as possible if necessary.

[0004] This object is achieved by the cell management controller defined in independent claim 1. Particularly advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] According to the present invention, a cell management controller for a battery module having a plurality of battery cells (these battery cells are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the battery module) comprises: a plurality of cell connectors in two rows along the longitudinal direction of the battery module for electrically conductively connecting the cell terminals of different battery cells, wherein at least some of the plurality of cell connectors each have at least one signal source; a plurality of conductors for conducting signals, which are respectively coupled to a signal source on one of the plurality of cell connectors; and an electronic unit, which is arranged between the cell connector rows in an end region of the battery module facing the end side in the longitudinal direction. According to the present invention, the electronic unit comprises: a circuit board on which a signal management circuit is mounted and which has a plurality of electrical contacts, which are respectively used to electrically connect the signal management circuit to one of the plurality of conductors; and a connection slot for inserting the circuit board, wherein the connection slot has a socket on its edge facing away from the end side of the battery module for connecting the conductor therein to the electrical contacts of the circuit board.

[0006] The fact that the electronic unit is arranged in the end region of the battery module facing the end side in the longitudinal direction means that the electronic unit is only located in the end region, that is, the electronic unit does not extend over the entire length of the battery module as is usually the case in conventional systems. The electronic unit extends in particular over less than half of the length of the battery module, for example only approximately over one third or one fourth of the length of the battery module. In this regard, the size of the electronic unit is also adapted, for example, to the corresponding variant of the battery module, in particular to the number of cell connectors and the number of signal sources present, so that a corresponding number of measurement signals can be received and analyzed. The electronic unit can basically be used with any basic structure of the cell connectors, any number of signal sources and any size of the battery module (that is, in particular the number and size of the battery cells). As signal sources, preferably all or at least a large part of the cell connectors each have a voltage tap position for measuring the voltage of the battery cell, and at least one pair or also all of the cell connectors are equipped with sensors, wherein the sensor is preferably a temperature sensor (for example an NTC resistor or an NTC thermistor) for measuring the temperature of the battery cell, but other sensors (for example pressure, etc.) can be provided optionally, alternatively or additionally.

[0007] The concept of the cell management controller according to the invention has a number of advantages. Since no large printed circuit board is required over the entire length of the battery module and the signal management circuit is integrated in the electronic unit within the battery module, a compact design of the cell management controller and therefore also of the battery module is achieved. Since the signal line system does not include a printed circuit board with integrated signal lines, which are complexly coupled to the signal source on the cell connector via special connecting elements, but instead includes simple conductors for conducting signals, which can be directly coupled to the signal source of the cell connector and can be easily connected to the electrical contacts of the printed circuit board of the integrated electronic unit by means of a socket, this results in a simpler production and installation of the cell management controller in the battery module. And since the electronic unit is located in the end region of the battery module and has a connection slot for inserting the printed circuit board with the signal management circuit and the electrical contacts, the electrical evaluation system (printed circuit board with the signal management circuit and the electrical contacts) can be integrated into the battery module simply and reliably on the one hand and simple maintenance, removal and replacement of the electrical evaluation system can be achieved on the other hand.

[0008] In a construction scheme of the present invention, the connection slot of the electronic unit has at least one guide rail for pushing the circuit board from the end side of the battery module toward the socket. Preferably, two guide rails are provided, which extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the battery module, and the at least one guide rail is preferably positioned adjacent to one of the two single-cell connectors. Alternatively or additionally, the connection slot of the electronic unit has at least one latching hook on its end region facing the end side of the battery module for holding the fully pushed-in circuit board in the connection slot. The use of guide rails and / or latching hooks supports the simple and reliable installation of the electrical analysis system into the battery module. In order to also support the simple maintenance, removal and replacement of the electrical analysis system, the at least one latching hook is preferably movable and accessible from the end side of the battery module so as to release and pull the circuit board out of the connection slot.

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the connection socket of the electronic unit also has a cover plate on the upper side facing away from the battery cell. The cover plate is used to protect the electronic components of the electronic unit. The cover plate can be clipped onto the connection socket, in particular onto its guide rails. Optionally, the cover plate of the connection socket of the electronic unit can be integrated into the housing cover of the housing of the battery module.

[0010] The plurality of cell connectors preferably each have two contact regions, each leading to a cell terminal of a battery cell, and a resilient compensation region between the two contact regions. The signal source is each arranged at one of the two contact regions of the corresponding cell connector.

[0011] The electronic unit of the cell management controller preferably also has connection interfaces mounted on a circuit board, which are connected to the signal management circuit and can be connected to an external battery module control device. The battery module control device is used, for example, to carry out charging processes, voltage and charge state compensation, temperature control processes, such as cooling processes, etc., at least partially as a function of measured values ​​obtained by the signal management circuit of the electronic unit.

[0012] The technical solution of the present invention is also a battery module having a plurality of battery cells and the above-described cell management controller of the present invention. The battery module can achieve the same advantages as those described above with the cell management controller according to the present invention.

[0013] The individual battery cells are connected to one another via the cell connectors of the cell management controller and can be connected to consumers and a charging system via the electrical connections of the battery module. Both the battery cells and the cell management controller are preferably accommodated in a module housing (typically comprising a base plate, side walls in the longitudinal direction and a housing cover). The invention is not limited to a particular type, number, size or arrangement of the plurality of battery cells. The invention can also be used in particular for lithium-ion battery modules.

[0014] The battery module also usually has at least one battery module control unit for operating the battery module, which is connected to the electronics unit of the cell management controller. The battery module control unit carries out, for example, charging processes, voltage and state of charge balancing, temperature control processes, such as in particular cooling processes, and the like, at least partially as a function of measurement signals obtained by the cell management controller.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the cell management controller is arranged on a support plate above the battery cells. The connection socket of the electronic unit is preferably mounted on the support plate in this case. The support plate also preferably has at least one ventilation opening (for example in the form of a plurality of holes or a slit) in order to enable a cooling process of the battery cells.

[0016] The invention can be used in an advantageous manner in battery modules for vehicles, in particular electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles and in particular motor vehicles and motorcycles, and also in energy storage systems and other electrical devices (such as electronic household appliances). The invention can also be used in particular for lithium-ion battery modules. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The technical solution of the present invention is defined by the dependent claims. The above and other features and advantages of the present invention can be better understood from the following description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments with the help of the attached drawings. Most of them are schematic:

[0018] Figure 1 A perspective top view of a battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A method for performing a Figure 1 A detailed top view of a cell management controller of a battery module;

[0020] Figure 3 Shows a circuit board that has not yet been inserted Figure 2 A perspective partial top view of the

[0021] Figure 4 Shown is a circuit board with an embedded Figure 2 A perspective partial top view of

[0022] Figure 5 Shown with added cladding Figure 2 A perspective partial top view of a single-body management controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Reference Figures 1 to 5 An exemplary embodiment of a battery module having a cell management controller according to the present invention is explained.

[0024] The battery module 10 has a plurality of battery cells (eg, lithium-ion battery cells) 12. In this embodiment, the battery cells 12 are arranged along a longitudinal direction 13 ( Figure 1 in the up and down direction) and are arranged side by side and have Figure 1 A negative connection in the left or right end region and in Figure 1 A positive terminal in the right or left end region, wherein the negative terminals and the positive terminals of the battery cells 12 are arranged alternately so that the negative terminal of a battery cell is located next to the positive terminal of an adjacent battery cell.

[0025] The battery module 10 also has a cell management controller (CMC) 16, which is arranged above the battery cells 12, preferably on the support plate 14. The battery cells 12 and the cell management controller 16 are usually arranged together in a module housing (not shown). Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the support plate 14 preferably also has holes as ventilation openings 26 in order to support the cooling process of the battery cells 12 located therebelow.

[0026] The cell management controller 16 has a plurality of cell connectors 18, which form a current conductor system. In this exemplary embodiment, the cell connectors 18 each have two contact areas 18a, 18b and a preferably elastic compensation area 18c between the two contact areas 18a, 18b. The cell connectors 18 are arranged on the battery cells 12 in two rows along the longitudinal direction 13 of the battery module 10 in such a way that the battery cells each couple the negative terminal of a battery cell 12 to the positive terminal of an adjacent battery cell 12 via their two contact areas 18a, 18b, resulting in a series connection of the battery cells 12 in the battery module 10. The battery cells 12 can also be connected to a consumer or a charging system via the electrical connections of the battery module 10.

[0027] As in Figure 1 and 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , there are two signal sources in the cell management controller 16. On the one hand, all (optionally only a large portion of) the cell connectors 18 each have a voltage tap position 20 as a first type of signal source for measuring the voltage of the battery cell 12. In addition, a sensor 22 is provided in each of a pair of (optionally also in all) the cell connectors 18 as a second type of signal source for measuring parameters of the battery cell 12. The sensor 22 is, for example, a temperature sensor, for example in the form of an NTC resistor or an NTC thermistor, optionally in SMD form.

[0028] A conductor 24 for conducting signals is coupled to each of the signal sources 20, 22 on the cell connector 18, wherein the coupling can be implemented directly, that is, without additional connecting elements. The conductors 24 for conducting signals each extend to an electronic unit 30 of the cell management controller 16 integrated in the battery module 10. The electronic unit 30 is located in the end region of the battery module 10, which faces the end side 28 of the battery module in the longitudinal direction 13 of the battery module (at Figure 1 and 2 In this exemplary embodiment, the electronic unit 30 extends, for example, only approximately over one third of the length of the battery module 10. The construction and function of the electronic unit 30 are particularly Figures 3 to 5 The partial diagram is shown in FIG.

[0029] The conductor 24 can be embodied, for example, as a wire, in particular as an insulated or uninsulated wire. Alternatively, the conductor 24 can be embodied as a conductor track, as a cable, as a litz wire, as an electrically conductive print, or the like.

[0030] The electronics unit 30 has a (preferably rigid and preferably substantially rectangular) printed circuit board 32 on which a signal management circuit 34 is mounted. Also mounted on the printed circuit board 32 is a connection interface 36 which is connected to the signal management circuit 34 and to which an external battery module control unit can be connected, which carries out, for example, charging processes, voltage and state of charge balancing, temperature control processes, such as in particular cooling processes, and the like, at least partially as a function of the measurement signals obtained by the cell management control unit 16. The printed circuit board 32 also has a plurality of electrical contacts 38, via which the signal management circuit 34 can be connected to the conductors 24 for conducting signals, in order to be able to detect and evaluate the measurement signals of the signal sources 20, 22.

[0031] As especially Figure 3 As can be seen in the figure, the electronic unit 30 also has a connection slot 40 for inserting a circuit board 32, which is mounted on the support plate 14. The connection slot 40 preferably has two guide rails 44 and two latching hooks 46. The two guide rails 44 extend along the longitudinal direction 13 of the battery module 10 on the edge of the connection slot 40 facing the cell connector column. The two latching hooks 46 are located near the single side 28 of the battery module 10 and near the inner side of the two guide rails 44. The connection slot 40 is therefore open on the end side 28 of the battery module 10, so that the circuit board 32 can be pushed into the connection slot 40 from outside the end side 28. If the circuit board 32 is fully pushed in, the circuit board 32 is fastened in the connection slot 40 by the latching hooks 46 (see Figure 4 ). Figure 4 As can be seen in the figure, the latching hook 46 is accessible from the end side 28 when the circuit board 32 is pushed in and held. Since the latching hook 46 is movable, the circuit board 32 can be pulled out of the connecting socket 40 again in this way, for example, to carry out maintenance and remove or replace the circuit board 32 when necessary.

[0032] As especially Figures 2 to 4 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the edge of the connecting socket 40 on its end side 28 facing away from the battery module 10 (at Figure 2 Below or in Figure 3 and 4A socket 42 is provided on the left side of the circuit board 32. All the conductors 24 for conducting signals extend with their ends into the socket 42. The electrical contacts 38 are arranged on the edge of the circuit board 32 facing the socket 42, so that when the circuit board 32 is pushed into the connection socket 40, these electrical contacts also extend into the socket 42 at the ends. In this way, all the conductors 24 are connected to the electrical contacts 38 of the circuit board 32 within the socket 42, so that the circuit board 32 and therefore its signal management circuit 34 receive measurement signals from all signal sources 20, 22 on the individual connectors 18.

[0033] As in Figure 1 and 5 As can be seen, the electronics unit 30 also has a cover 48 on the upper side of the electronics unit facing away from the battery cells 12. The cover 48 can be, for example, a separate component or integrated into the housing cover of the battery module 10. The cover 48 is, for example, not mounted on the guide rails 44 of the connection socket 40 until after the circuit board 32 has been inserted into the connection socket 40 or is already fastened thereto substantially, that is, even without the inserted circuit board 32. The cover 48 protects the electronic components of the electronics unit 30, in particular the signal management circuit 34 on the circuit board 32.

[0034] As described in Figures 1 to 5 As can be seen in the figure, the cell management controller 16 and thus the battery module 10 with the integrated signal management circuit 34 also have a compact design. In addition, the cell management controller 16 can be easily installed in the battery module 10, in particular by simply coupling the conductors 24 for conducting the signal to the signal sources 20, 22 and to the circuit board 32 and by the simple design and assembly of the connection slot 40 and by simply pushing the relatively small circuit board 32 with the signal management circuit 34 mounted thereon into the connection slot 40. In addition, the circuit board 32 with the signal management circuit 34 mounted thereon can also be easily pulled out of the connection slot 40 and thus from the battery module 10 in order to perform maintenance, removal or replacement of the electrical evaluation system (circuit board with signal management circuit and electrical contacts).

[0035] The described battery module 10 with the cell control unit 16 according to the invention can be used, for example, in vehicles, in particular electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles and in particular motor vehicles and motorcycles, or in energy storage systems or in other electrical devices, such as electronic household appliances.

[0036] The technical solution of the present invention is defined by the dependent claims. The embodiments described above are only used to better understand the present invention, but should not be limited to the scope of protection defined by the claims. As can be seen by those skilled in the art, other embodiments within the scope of the present invention are also possible, in particular by omitting individual features from the embodiments described above or adding additional features to the embodiments described above.

[0037] Reference numerals list

[0038] 10 battery modules

[0039] 12 battery cells

[0040] 13 Longitudinal direction of battery module

[0041] 14 Support plate

[0042] 16 Cell Management Controller (CMC)

[0043] 18-unit connector (current conductor system)

[0044] 18a First contact area of ​​the single-body connector

[0045] Second contact area of ​​18b single-body connector

[0046] Compensation area of ​​18c single-unit connector

[0047] 20 Voltage tap positions

[0048] 22 Sensors (especially temperature sensors)

[0049] 24 Conductors for conducting signals

[0050] 26 ventilation openings

[0051] 28 The end side of the battery module in the longitudinal direction

[0052] 30 electronic units

[0053] 32 Circuit Board

[0054] 34Signal management circuit

[0055] 36 connection interfaces

[0056] 38 electrical contacts

[0057] 40 connection slots

[0058] 42 sockets

[0059] 44 rails

[0060] 46 Latch Hook

[0061] 48 cladding

Claims

1. A cell management controller (16) for a battery module (10) having a plurality of battery cells (12), the battery cells being arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction (13) of the battery module, the cell management controller comprising: Two rows of a plurality of cell connectors (18) along the longitudinal direction (13) of the battery module (10) are used to electrically conductively connect cell terminals of different battery cells (12), wherein: At least some of the plurality of single-unit connectors (18) respectively have at least one signal source (20, 22); A plurality of conductors (24) for conducting signals, the conductors being respectively coupled to a signal source (20, 22) on one of the plurality of single-unit connectors (18); as well as An electronics unit (30) is arranged between the cell connector rows in an end region of the battery module (10) facing the end side (28) in the longitudinal direction, wherein the electronics unit (30) has: a circuit board (32) on which a signal management circuit (34) is mounted and which has a plurality of electrical contacts (38) for electrically connecting the signal management circuit (34) to one of the plurality of conductors (24); and a connection socket (40) for receiving a printed circuit board (32), wherein the connection socket (40) has a socket (42) on its edge facing away from the end face (28) of the battery module for connecting a conductor (24) therein to an electrical contact (38) of the printed circuit board (32).

2. The single management controller (16) according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting socket (40) of the electronic unit (30) has at least one guide rail (44) for pushing the circuit board (32) from the end side (28) of the battery module toward the socket (42).

3. The single unit management controller (16) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The connecting socket (40) of the electronic unit (30) has at least one latching hook (46) at its end region facing the battery module end face (28) for holding a completely inserted circuit board (32) in the connecting socket (40).

4. The single management controller (16) according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one latching hook (46) is movable and accessible from the end side (28) of the battery module in order to release and pull the printed circuit board (32) out of the connecting socket (40).

5. The cell management controller (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The connection socket (40) of the electronic unit (30) also has a cover (48) on the upper side facing away from the battery cell (12).

6. The single unit management controller (16) according to claim 5, wherein: A cover plate (48) of a connection socket (40) of the electronics unit (30) is integrated into a housing cover of the battery module (10).

7. The cell management controller (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The plurality of cell connectors (18) each have two contact regions (18a, 18b) which each lead to a cell terminal of a battery cell (12) and an elastic compensation region (18c) between the two contact regions (18a, 18b).

8. The cell management controller (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The electronic unit (30) also has a connection interface (36) mounted on the circuit board (32), which is connected to the signal management circuit (34) and to which an external battery module control device can be connected.

9. A battery module (10), comprising: a plurality of battery cells (12); and A cell management controller (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The battery module (10) according to claim 9, wherein: The cell management controller (16) is arranged on a support plate (14) above the battery cell (12).

11. The battery module (10) according to claim 10, wherein: The connection socket (40) of the electronic unit (30) is mounted on the support plate (14).

12. The battery module (10) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: The support plate (14) has at least one ventilation opening (26).

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