Battery assembly with thermal protection layer and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery assembly having a thermal protection layer, comprising: a battery module having at least one cell having an openable cell vent and a first module side, a section of the first module side forming a vent region in which the openable cell vent is arranged; and an exhaust passage wall having a first wall side facing the first module side with respect to the first direction, the first wall side including an entry region facing the exhaust region with respect to the first direction. In this case, the access region comprises a pre-set penetration point opposite the cell vent with respect to the first direction and a surface adjoining the pre-set penetration point, and the battery assembly comprises at least one linear pressure element which is arranged in such a way that the surface adjoins the pre-set penetration point. In this way, the compression of the thermal protection layer arranged between the exhaust region and the entry region is locally increased in the region between the surface of the entry region and the first module side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery assembly with a thermal protection layer, the battery assembly comprising a battery module having at least one battery cell, the at least one battery cell having an openable battery cell exhaust port, the battery module having a first module side, a partition of the first module side forming an exhaust zone, the openable battery cell exhaust port being arranged in the exhaust zone, the battery assembly comprising an exhaust channel wall, the exhaust channel wall having a first wall side opposite to the first module side based on a first direction, the first wall side comprising an entry zone, the entry zone being opposite to the exhaust zone based on the first direction. In addition, the present invention also relates to a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Cells, such as cells of high-voltage batteries or battery modules, especially for motor vehicles, generally have cell exhaust ports that can be opened. If thermal runaway of such cells occurs, the overpressure formed in the cells can be unloaded through the cell exhaust ports that can be opened. Here, gas escapes from the cell exhaust ports that are opened in this case. Gases escaping from such thermally runaway cells can also be guided out through exhaust channels. Such cell exhaust channels can accordingly have an entry area through which gases escaping from the opened cell exhaust ports can enter the exhaust channel. Here, such exhaust channels should ideally be connected to the cell exhaust ports of the cells as tightly as possible to prevent: a portion of the gas may leak between the exhaust channel and the exhausted cell. In addition, the gas escaping from the cells should be kept away from adjacent cells and their cell exhaust ports as effectively as possible to prevent contamination of adjacent cells. Otherwise, the gas escaping from the thermally runaway cells may cause overheating of adjacent cells, which may also thermally run away in the process.

[0003] In order to connect this exhaust channel to the exhaust port of the battery cell as well as possible, a corresponding seal can be used. However, the problem with the seal is usually that the seal is not particularly resistant to temperature changes and may melt when hot gas escapes from the battery cell, thereby losing its sealing effect. In addition, another problem is that in order to provide sufficient sealing effect, a certain compression of this seal is required between two components to be sealed relative to each other. On the other hand, it is also necessary to save structural space and weight. For this purpose, the exhaust channel wall of the component, such as the exhaust channel, is preferably designed as a wall as thin as possible. If this thin exhaust channel wall is arranged on the battery module through the seal, the necessary pressing force cannot be applied to the seal through the exhaust channel wall to obtain sufficient sealing effect, but will bend, especially in the direction away from the exhaust port of the battery cell or the seal. And this makes it difficult to fix this exhaust channel on the battery module, because the reset force generated by the compressed seal may not only cause deformation of the exhaust channel wall, but also may cause damage or load to the fixing part. Therefore, the sealing connection of this exhaust channel on the battery module has been very complicated so far and has especially led to a very large and complex design scheme of the components involved.

[0004] US2014 / 0234677 A1 describes a battery module having a plurality of cells, each of which has a cover plate having a terminal area and a cell exhaust port area. In addition, the battery module includes a cover covering the cell exhaust port area and a heat-resistant member between the cell and the cover, wherein the heat-resistant member has an opening in an area corresponding to the corresponding cell exhaust port area. The heat-resistant member may be arranged between the cell and the insulating member. The heat-resistant member may be designed as a ceramic plate. The cover may have a hexagonal shape, which is open on one side. The open side faces the cell exhaust port area. The cover may be directly attached to the insulating member. In addition, the cover defines a gas flow path leading to the escape opening. The insulating member may be designed as a sealing portion made of a heat-resistant material. The heat-resistant member may be constructed with an edge raised around the cell exhaust port, which passes through a notch in the insulating member corresponding to the cell exhaust port area so as to laterally protect the insulating member from hot gas.

[0005] However, the above problems still exist. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a battery assembly and a motor vehicle which allow the most effective and sealed connection of the exhaust gas duct wall to the battery module and at the same time allow the simplest possible, space-saving and cost-effective design of the relevant assembly.

[0007] This object is achieved by a battery assembly and a motor vehicle having the features of the respective independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given by the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0008] The battery assembly with a thermal protection layer according to the present invention comprises a battery module with at least one battery cell, the at least one battery cell having an openable battery cell exhaust port, wherein the battery module also has a first module side, wherein a subarea of ​​the first module side forms an exhaust zone, wherein the openable battery cell exhaust port is arranged. In addition, the battery assembly also comprises an exhaust channel wall, the exhaust channel wall having a first wall side opposite to the first module side based on a first direction, the first wall side comprising an entry zone, the entry zone being opposite to the exhaust zone based on the first direction. Here, the entry zone has a preset penetration portion opposite to the battery cell exhaust port based on the first direction and a first surface, the first surface being adjacent to the preset penetration portion, wherein a gap is provided between the exhaust zone and the entry zone, the thermal protection layer being arranged in the gap based on the first direction under compression of the thermal protection layer, and the battery assembly comprises at least one linear pressure element, the at least one pressure element being arranged so that the compression of the thermal protection layer is locally increased in the region between the first surface of the entry zone and the first module side.

[0009] Here, the present invention is based on multiple knowledges at the same time: by means of such a heat protection layer between the exhaust channel wall and the first module side of the battery module, a certain sealing of the exhaust channel or the exhaust channel wall relative to the first module side can be advantageously provided in the case of gas escape from the thermal runaway battery cell. Since the heat protection layer is arranged in the gap between the exhaust area and the entry area under a certain compression based on the first direction, this sealing effect can be provided in a particularly effective manner and very efficiently. However, this compression produces a certain restoring force on the adjacent components that form the exhaust channel wall and the first module side in this case. Here, the compression of the heat protection layer can be locally increased by setting a linear pressure element. As a result, the sealing effect of the heat protection layer is also increased just in the area of ​​the locally increased compression. Therefore, in other areas of the heat protection layer, the compression of the heat protection layer is small. Here, by setting such a pressure element, the restoring force caused by the compression of the heat protection layer applied to the relevant components can be advantageously reduced on average, without affecting the sealing effect of the heat protection layer, on the contrary, the sealing effect can be specifically increased in those areas that are conducive to this and desired by the locally increased compression of the heat protection layer. A heat protection layer with increased compression and thus improved sealing effect can be provided just in the area between the first surface of the entry zone (wherein the first surface is adjacent to the preset penetration site in the entry zone) and the first module side. Therefore, an improved sealing effect can be provided just in the area of ​​the heat protection layer adjacent to the preset penetration site, for example, in the area surrounding the preset penetration site. Since the restoring force acting on the adjacent components, especially the exhaust duct wall, can be reduced by only locally increasing the compression of the heat protection layer, the exhaust duct wall can be designed very simply and thin-walled without having to worry about deformation of the exhaust duct wall, which in turn affects the sealing. In addition, due to the reduced restoring force, it becomes easy to connect the exhaust duct wall to the battery module via a suitable connection area or fixing area. As explained in more detail later, the exhaust duct wall can be locally bonded to the first module side, for example, by an adhesive. In this case, the restoring force applied to the exhaust duct wall by the heat protection layer will not mechanically influence and load these bonding sites, so that a particularly simple and stable connection of the exhaust duct wall to the battery module can be achieved. Overall, a sealed connection of the exhaust gas duct wall to the battery module can thus be provided, which at the same time also enables a very simple, cost-effective and space-saving design of the components involved.

[0010] The thermal protection layer is made of a compressible material. Optionally, the material of the thermal protection layer or the thermal protection layer itself can also be elastically compressible. Here, the thermal protection layer can be provided in the form of a thermal protection pad and / or a thermal protection foam or a foam layer, etc. In addition, the thermal protection layer can be designed continuously so that the battery cell exhaust port that can be opened and the corresponding preset penetration position are covered by the thermal protection layer. The thermal protection layer is preferably made of a material that is as heat-resistant as possible, but the material can be locally destroyed by the gas escaping from the opened battery cell exhaust port of the battery cell. Therefore, for example, if the gas escapes from the battery cell exhaust port that can be opened of the battery cell, the gas can locally pass through the thermal protection layer located below it based on the first direction, hit the preset penetration position of the entry zone of the exhaust channel wall, and pass through the preset penetration position into the exhaust channel, which is defined by the exhaust channel wall based on the first direction. Therefore, the heat protection layer is configured so that it is partially destroyed in the gas penetration area defined as the area directly arranged between the openable battery cell exhaust port and the preset penetration position located thereunder based on the first direction, but is not destroyed in the lateral direction, i.e., in the area adjacent to the gas penetration area perpendicular to the first direction, or is kept intact as much as possible. Thus, the heat protection layer can be provided between the exhaust channel wall and the first module side, and the sealing effect is still obtained in the area adjacent to the gas penetration area even in the exhaust situation. Therefore, for example, when the battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, a thermal barrier and a mechanical barrier for the battery cell exhaust ports of adjacent battery cells can also be provided.

[0011] Here, increased compression is to be understood as meaning that the compression of the heat protection layer is higher in the region of the increased compression than in directly adjacent or other regions of the heat protection layer. In the adjacent or other regions, the heat protection layer is not compressed in the same manner, but can also be compressed. Therefore, the heat protection layer is more strongly compressed in the region of the increased compression. The heat protection layer has, for example, an increased density in the region of the increased compression. Preferably, the compression of the heat protection layer is greatest in the region of the increased compression. In this case, the density of the heat protection layer can be greatest in the region of the increased compression accordingly. In addition, the heat protection layer can be designed to be compressible, for example elastically and / or elastically compressible, wherein in particular a particularly good sealing effect can be achieved by the elastic compressibility.

[0012] The preset penetration point can be designed as an opening of the exhaust channel wall leading to the interior of the exhaust channel or as a preset fracture point that can also include such an opening, but the opening is closed under normal circumstances and is only opened by the gas that hits the preset fracture point during exhaust. Here, "designed as a preset fracture point" is preferred. In addition, the preset penetration point should be understood as an area of ​​​​the rupture of the exhaust channel wall, not just a point. The shape and size of the preset penetration point can correspond to the shape and size of the associated openable battery cell exhaust port.

[0013] A battery module can generally include not only one battery cell, but also multiple battery cells. The battery cell can be designed as a prismatic battery cell or a round battery cell or a soft-pack battery cell, but is preferably designed as a prismatic battery cell. In addition, the battery cell can be designed as a lithium-ion battery cell, for example. The openable battery cell exhaust port of the battery cell can be designed as a preset rupture point or an overpressure valve, for example. In particular, the openable battery cell exhaust port can be designed as a rupture membrane, for example. Generally, the openable battery cell exhaust port is an opening that is closed by a closure and opened under certain conditions, especially by opening the closure portion. In addition, the openable battery cell exhaust port of the battery cell is preferably designed as a battery cell exhaust port that can be opened passively and pressure-dependently. The battery cell can, for example, have a first battery cell side, on which such an openable battery cell exhaust port is arranged. Here, the first battery cell side can be part of the first module side.

[0014] The battery assembly can provide a high-voltage battery, in particular a high-voltage battery for a motor vehicle. In addition, such a high-voltage battery can include not only one battery module, but also a plurality of battery modules.

[0015] Here, the exhaust duct wall can be part of the exhaust duct or be provided for such an exhaust duct. The exhaust duct wall can also be referred to as the first exhaust duct wall, and a second exhaust duct wall can be provided as part of the exhaust duct, which is opposite to the first exhaust duct wall based on the first direction. In this case, the interior of the exhaust duct can be formed accordingly between the first exhaust duct wall and the second exhaust duct wall. The second exhaust duct wall can be provided, for example, by an underbody protection device of a motor vehicle. Here, with reference to the preferred installation position of the battery assembly in the motor vehicle, the openable cell exhaust port of the battery cell is downward, that is, the first module side faces the ground of the motor vehicle (the motor vehicle is located on it). However, it is also conceivable that the cell exhaust port is upward and correspondingly away from the ground of the motor vehicle. It is also preferred that the cell electrodes of the battery cell are not arranged on the first cell side where the openable cell exhaust port is arranged. This makes it easy to connect the first exhaust duct wall to the first module side.

[0016] Here, the inlet region on the first wall side of the exhaust channel wall is a region through which the gas escaping from the battery cell in thermal runaway enters the interior of the exhaust channel.

[0017] Here, the entry area on the first wall side includes a preset penetration site, but also includes an area different from the preset penetration site that can be opened, whose surface is a first surface adjacent to the preset penetration site. Here, the first surface can also be defined as surrounding the first preset penetration site adjacent to the first preset penetration site. The first surface can be defined, for example, as all surface areas of the entry area that are different from at least one preset penetration site. Therefore, the preset penetration site should not be arranged in these areas belonging to the first surface. When the battery module includes multiple battery cells, this also applies to the case of multiple preset penetration sites.

[0018] Here, a linear pressure element is to be understood as a pressure element extending along a line, wherein the line can have two open ends or can be designed as a closed line, i.e. a circle or an ellipse or a closed curve extending in an arbitrarily curved manner. In addition, the pressure element has a certain dimension, i.e. a width, perpendicular to its extension direction along the line, which is limited but significantly smaller than the length of the pressure element along the line, i.e. in its extension direction. In addition, a linear pressure element does not necessarily extend along a straight line, but can also extend along an arbitrarily curved line.

[0019] In another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the locally increased compression of the heat protection layer caused by the linear pressure element extends along a line, which partially or completely surrounds a predetermined penetration point, which in particular forms an opening and / or a predetermined breaking point in the entry area, in particular when the line of the locally increased compression is observed in a vertical projection onto the entry area with reference to the first direction. Since the heat protection layer is located above the entry area with the predetermined penetration point with reference to the first direction, the description of the direction of the increased compression of the heat protection layer should be understood here in a vertical projection onto the entry area with reference to the first direction. When the area with the increased compression of the heat protection layer is vertically projected onto the entry area on the first wall side in the first direction, it forms a line on the entry area, which partially or completely extends around the predetermined penetration point in the entry area. In this way, an increased sealing effect of the heat protection layer can be achieved in a targeted manner around the area of ​​the predetermined penetration point.

[0020] In another very advantageous design of the present invention, the pressure element is designed as a bulge on the first surface of the entry zone. Thus, the pressure element can be designed as a bulge in the first wall side of the exhaust duct wall itself. Therefore, if the exhaust duct wall has a bulge on its first surface in the region of the entry zone, the bulge automatically leads to an increase in the compression of the heat protection layer thereon, which is especially flat and in an uncompressed state, for example, of uniform thickness. Therefore, by means of this bulge, a locally increased compression of the heat protection layer can be provided in a particularly simple manner. For this local bulge of the first surface, equivalent designs such as those described for the region of increased compression of the heat protection layer also apply here. In other words, the bulge on the first surface of the entry zone can extend along a line here, which line, in particular, partially or completely surrounds the preset penetration site in the entry zone along the edge region of the preset penetration site, or the local bulge can also partially or completely form the edge region of the preset penetration site. Here, "the pressure element is designed as a bulge on the first surface of the entry zone" also has the following significant advantage, that is, the construction of this bulge in the surface of the exhaust duct wall simultaneously causes the reinforcement of the exhaust duct wall in this region. By means of the increased rigidity, the increased reaction force can in turn react against the restoring force generated by the heat protection layer. This can effectively prevent bending of the exhaust duct wall, in particular in the region where an increased sealing effect is to be achieved, in particular when the entire exhaust duct wall cannot have a greater wall thickness or a stronger design. This can in turn save structural space and weight.

[0021] In another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the bulge of the first surface is designed as a projection of the exhaust duct wall pointing in the direction of the first module side. The advantage of such a projection of the exhaust duct wall is that the projection can be provided by a local arched structure of the exhaust duct wall in this area, without increasing the wall thickness of the exhaust duct wall in the area of ​​the projection. In other words, the bulge of the surface can be provided in the following way, that is, the exhaust duct wall protrudes or bulges accordingly in this area. On the second side of the exhaust duct wall opposite to the first wall side (which faces the inner cavity of the exhaust duct), a corresponding groove or groove is formed in the exhaust duct wall at the location of the projection. This enables particularly simple production of the bulge of the surface and additional weight savings.

[0022] According to another very advantageous design of the present invention, the protrusion of the first surface is an edge region of the preset penetration portion that surrounds the preset penetration portion in a closed manner, thereby the preset penetration portion can be sealed around the openable battery cell exhaust port.

[0023] In another very advantageous design of the present invention, the exhaust channel wall comprises a wall component, in particular a plate, in which a through hole is arranged, the through hole being opposite to the exhaust port of the battery cell with respect to a first direction, wherein the pressure element is designed as a bulge of the first surface partially or completely surrounding the through hole, in particular wherein the exhaust channel wall has a preset fracture covering element, which is arranged on the exhaust channel wall in a manner covering the through hole, and the portion covering the through hole provides a preset penetration portion in the form of a preset fracture portion.

[0024] The wall member of the exhaust channel wall is preferably designed as a plate, that is, as a very thin metal plate. However, in principle, the wall member can also be made of other materials, such as plastics. In the wall member, especially the plate-shaped wall member, a through hole directly opposite the openable battery exhaust port of the battery cell can be arranged. The through hole is preferably covered by the covering element, the preset breaking covering element. Here, the covering element can be, for example, a thin plastic film or a plastic member, such as a thin plastic plate. Preferably, the preset breaking covering element has a lower melting point than the wall member. As a result, the exhaust channel wall can be easily passed by the gas flow escaping from the battery cell, especially in the area of ​​the preset breaking covering element or the part covering the through hole. Therefore, the part of the preset breaking covering element covering the through hole is the preset breaking position of the exhaust channel wall. It is very advantageous that the pressure element surrounds the through hole in the wall member as a partially or completely surrounding bulge of the first surface. Here, the covering element can be arranged on the side of the wall member facing the battery module or on the side facing away from the battery module. Preferably, it is arranged on the side facing the battery module. It is particularly advantageous here if the pressure element is, for example, an edge region of a through-hole. In other words, the edge of the first surface directly adjoining the through-hole has an elevated configuration, thereby providing the pressure element.

[0025] In another advantageous design of the present invention, the first wall side has a first abutment area and a second abutment area, wherein the entry area is arranged between the first abutment area and the second abutment area with a second direction perpendicular to the first direction as a reference, wherein the entry area is recessed relative to the first abutment area and the second abutment area with the first direction as a reference. The recessed construction scheme of the entry area relative to the abutment area can advantageously construct a gap in which a thermal protection layer is arranged. Therefore, the thermal protection layer does not extend over the two abutment areas. This can advantageously connect the exhaust channel wall to the battery module through the abutment area. Preferably, the connection is made by an interface material, such as an adhesive. The connection can also be a thermal connection, such as a thermal connection made by means of a thermal interface material. The interface material can be a heat-conducting adhesive and / or a so-called caulking agent, i.e., a gap filler, which is a curable heat-conducting material. Preferably, the aforementioned adhesive is arranged as an interface material, for example, between the corresponding abutment area and the area on the first module side that is opposite to each other with the first direction as a reference. Here, this interface material can extend over a large area over all abutment areas or two abutment areas.

[0026] The connection via the thermal interface material is particularly advantageous, for example, when a cooling device for cooling the battery module is provided at the same time via the exhaust duct wall. For this purpose, the exhaust duct wall can also have an integrated cooling channel through which a liquid coolant can flow. For this purpose, the exhaust duct wall can be designed with a plurality of layers, for example walls, between which the coolant channel is formed. As a result, the coolant channel is spatially separated from the interior of the exhaust duct defined by the exhaust duct wall.

[0027] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressure element is designed as a linear protrusion of the second surface of the heat protection layer. This also allows a locally increased compression of the heat protection layer to be achieved. Thus, the heat protection layer can be designed, for example, with a second, essentially flat surface, which has locally linear protrusions or projections, by which the pressure element is provided. The linear protrusions of the second surface can be designed or arranged in the same manner as described, for example, for the protrusions of the surface of the first wall side in the entry region. In other words, the linear protrusions are positioned on the heat protection layer in such a way that a locally increased compression can be provided by the protrusions, which preferably completely seals the predetermined penetration point in the exhaust duct wall all around.

[0028] Here, this linear bulge of the second surface of the heat protection layer can also be combined with the example described above, according to which the pressure element is designed as a part of the exhaust duct wall. In this case, the pressure element can be understood as an additional pressure element, such as a second pressure element.

[0029] Here, the second surface of the heat protection layer can face the exhaust duct wall and / or the first module side.Both surfaces of the heat protection layer, for example the surface facing the battery module and the surface facing the exhaust duct wall, can also be provided with such a pressure element.

[0030] In another advantageous design of the present invention, the battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, each of which has a respective openable battery cell exhaust port, which is arranged in an exhaust area on a first module side, wherein the first wall side has a corresponding preset penetration position for each battery cell exhaust port, and the entry area is divided into a plurality of sub-areas along a third direction, wherein each sub-area includes exactly one of the preset breaking positions, and wherein the battery assembly includes a linear pressure element for each battery cell exhaust port, thereby locally increasing the compression of the thermal protection layer in an area between a first surface of a corresponding sub-area of ​​the entry area and the first module side.

[0031] Here, the third direction may be perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. According to this design, the battery module includes a plurality of battery cells. The structural scheme of the battery module, the exhaust duct wall and the thermal protection layer for the case of a plurality of battery cells may be completely similar to the battery module with a single battery cell already described. Here, the thermal protection layer is preferably designed as a continuous layer, which covers all the preset breaking locations and all the openable battery cell exhaust ports.

[0032] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle having a battery assembly according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0033] The advantages described for the battery assembly according to the invention and its initial situation apply in the same manner to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0034] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a car, in particular as a passenger car or a commercial vehicle, or as a bus or a motorcycle.

[0035] The present invention also includes combinations of features from the described embodiments. The present invention therefore also includes embodiments which each have a combination of features from a plurality of the described embodiments, as long as these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The embodiments of the present invention are described below. In the figure:

[0037] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 The embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 1 Another schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly in;

[0039] Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a vent channel wall for a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 4 The embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 3 Schematic perspective view of a portion of an exhaust duct wall in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The embodiment described below is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the components described in this embodiment are the features of the present invention that should be viewed independently of each other, and these features also improve the present invention independently of each other. Therefore, the disclosure should also include combinations different from the combinations shown in the features of the embodiment. In addition, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by other already described features of the present invention.

[0042] In the figures, the same reference numerals respectively denote elements with the same function.

[0043] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. In particular, only a portion of such a battery assembly 10 is shown here. In this example, the battery assembly 10 comprises a battery module 12, which in turn comprises a plurality of battery cells 14, of which three battery cells can be seen here. In this case, the battery module 12 has a first module side 12a, which faces an exhaust duct wall 16 of an exhaust duct 18 with reference to a first direction corresponding to the z-direction shown. In this case, the exhaust duct wall 16 is also part of the battery assembly 10. In this case, the exhaust duct wall 16 spatially separates the battery module 12 from the interior 20 of the exhaust duct 18.

[0044] Each battery cell 14 has a first battery cell side 14a, which in this case is the bottom side 14a of the battery cell. In addition, each battery cell 14 includes an openable battery cell exhaust port 22 on the first battery cell side 14a. The battery cell exhaust port may also be referred to as a battery cell vent 22 or a ventilation opening 22. In the event of thermal runaway of the battery cell 14, this openable battery cell exhaust port 22 opens in a pressure-dependent and passive manner, thereby enabling exhaust of the battery cell 14. The escaping gas can be introduced into the battery cell exhaust channel 18, as described in detail later. The exhaust channel wall 16 has a first wall side 16a facing the battery module 12.

[0045] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of a cross section of the battery assembly 10 in FIG. Figure 2 A cross section perpendicular to the x-direction is shown in FIG. Figure 1 A cross section perpendicular to the y direction is shown in FIG. Figure 2In particular, a cross section of a cell 14 in the region of its cell exhaust opening 22 is shown. Here, the exhaust channel wall 16 or the first wall side 16a can be divided into three regions along the y direction, whose region boundaries are Figure 2 As such an area, the first wall side 16a has a central area as an entry area 24 and two connection areas or abutment areas 26a and 26b. Here, the entry area 24 is arranged between the two connection areas 26a and 26b along the y direction. Here, the exhaust channel wall 16 is constructed in the form of a recess relative to the connection areas 26a and 26b in the entry area 24. As a result, a gap 28 is formed between the entry area 24 and the corresponding area opposite to the first module side 12a along the z direction. The partitions opposite to each other along the z direction of the first module side 12a are also called exhaust areas 30. The openable cell exhaust port 22 of the cell 14 is arranged in this part of the first module side 12a, that is, the exhaust area 30. The first module side 12a can also be divided into three partitions accordingly, and its dividing line is shown by the dotted line shown. In addition to the cell exhaust area 30, the first module side 12a also includes a first partition 32a and a second partition 32b. Here, the exhaust area 30 is arranged between the first partition and the second partition 32a, 32b. The first partition 32a is opposite to the first connection area 26a based on the z direction, and the second partition 32b is directly opposite to the second connection area 26b based on the z direction. Correspondingly, the exhaust area 30 is opposite to the inlet area 24 based on the z direction. Here, an interface material 52 is arranged between each connection area 26a, 26b and the corresponding partition 32a, 32b opposite in the z direction. The interface material can be designed as an adhesive or a sealant.

[0046] Here, the exhaust duct wall 16 also includes a preset penetration site in the form of a preset breaking site 34. The preset penetration site is arranged in the entry area 24 and is opposite to the openable battery cell exhaust port 22 based on the z direction. Here, the exhaust duct wall 16 can have a wall component 36, which has an opening 38, such as a hole, in the region of the preset breaking site 34. In addition, the exhaust duct wall 16 can include a covering element 40 covering the opening 38.

[0047] Now, a heat protection layer 42, for example a heat protection mat, is arranged in the gap 28 between the inlet area 24 and the exhaust area 30. The heat protection layer fills most of the gap 28. In addition, the heat protection layer extends across the openable battery cell exhaust opening 22 and the predetermined breaking point 34 in the exhaust channel wall 16 based on the x direction, as can be seen, for example, in Figure 1. Here, the thermal protection layer 42 is compressed in the z-direction in order to obtain a sealing effect. Advantageously, the battery assembly 10 is now configured with a pressure element 44, by which the thermal protection layer 42 can be locally compressed, i.e. compressed in the area between the first surface 46 of the entry area 24 and the first module side 12a, wherein the first surface 46 is adjacent to the preset breaking point 34. The area of ​​increased compression of the thermal protection layer 42 is shown by a dotted line and is marked with 48. Here, this area 48 of increased compression preferably completely surrounds the gas penetration area 42' of the thermal protection layer 42, wherein the gas penetration area 42' is the following area of ​​the thermal protection layer 42, which is located between the openable battery cell exhaust port 22 and the directly opposite preset breaking point 34 with respect to the z-direction and is in contact with the preset breaking point 34 and the openable battery cell exhaust port 22. This is therefore the region of the heat protection layer 42 which is penetrated by the escaping gas when the gas escapes from the battery cell 14 , if the gas passes through the intended breaking point 34 into the battery cell degassing channel 18 or its interior 20 .

[0048] In the present example, the pressure element 44 is provided by a bulge, in particular a projection 50, of the first surface 46 or the exhaust duct wall 16, in particular a projection designed as a wall component 36 in the edge region R surrounding the opening 38. Advantageously, the heat protection layer 42 is locally compressed more strongly by the projection 50 in the region 48. Thus, on the one hand, an improved sealing effect of the heat protection layer 42 can be achieved in a targeted manner in the region 48 surrounding the gas penetration region 42', and in addition, a reinforcement of the exhaust duct wall can also be achieved in this region. Therefore, the exhaust duct wall 16 can in principle have a thin sheet design, which, for example, provides the wall component 36. The restoring force acting by the heat protection layer 42 toward the exhaust duct wall 16 can be reduced by the pressure element 44 on average, without affecting the sealing effect. On the contrary, the sealing effect can even be improved by local compression in the region 48 of the heat protection layer 42.

[0049] Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of a gas venting channel wall 16 for a battery assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The gas venting channel wall 16 may be designed as described above. Figure 3 In particular, a perspective view of the exhaust duct wall 16 is shown in an oblique top view of the first wall side 16a. In addition, the exhaust duct wall 16 with the wall component 36 is shown here, but the cover part that provides the predetermined breaking point 34 and covers the corresponding opening 38 in the wall component 36 is not shown. The through hole 38 in the wall component 36 is designed to be elliptical. In the edge area R of this through hole 38, a corresponding pressure element 44 in the form of the described projection 50 of the wall component 36 is provided.

[0050] Figure 4 A schematic enlarged perspective view of a wall component 36 of the exhaust duct wall 16 is shown again in the region of a predetermined penetration point 34, for example a predetermined break point 34 or a corresponding opening 38 in the wall component 36. The opening 38 is surrounded by a pressure element 44. The pressure element 44 is therefore an increased edge region R of the opening 38 or the predetermined penetration point 34. As a result, an increased pressure can be applied to the heat protection layer 42 in the z direction precisely in the region surrounding the predetermined penetration point 34 and directly adjacent thereto, whereby an additional sealing effect can be achieved precisely around the predetermined penetration point 34.

[0051] Thus, a protective plate can be provided in an advantageous manner below the battery cells 14 by means of the heat protection layer 42, which, on the one hand, prevents particles and heat from entering the exhaust chamber 20 from the battery cells 14 and achieves a sealing effect between the battery cells 14. The compressible protective layer 42 is subjected to a certain pressing force, which is applied by its outer covering, which is provided here on the one hand by the first module side 12a in the exhaust region 30 and on the other hand by the exhaust channel wall 16 in the inlet region 24. Advantageously, by locally increasing the compression of the heat protection plate or heat protection layer 42 by means of the pressure element 44, it can be avoided that the adhesive, as an example of the interface material 52, which is arranged directly next to the heat protection layer 42, is subjected to excessive shear forces, especially already during production, for example, immediately after the adhesive is applied, when the adhesive is still hot and has not yet been completely crosslinked and has not yet reached its full strength, with reference to the y direction.

[0052] The cooling channel 54 can be integrated into the exhaust channel wall 16. The cooling channel is sealed relative to the interior 20 of the exhaust channel 18. As a result, a cooling device for cooling the battery cell 14 can be provided by the exhaust channel wall 16 at the same time. However, the construction of the exhaust channel wall 16 or the battery assembly 10 described here is independent of whether the exhaust channel wall 16 is designed as a cooling plate or is only provided as a separate plate or a separate plate. The ventilation opening, i.e. the openable battery cell exhaust port 22, can also be designed to face upward, and the exhaust channel wall 16 and the heat protection layer 42 are correspondingly located above the battery cell 14.

[0053] Advantageously, the heat protection plate 42 is not pressed with a large area component, but is mainly pressed only in the area 48 directly around the ventilation opening 22, especially by means of the pressure element 44. Since large-area pressing, for example, by means of a flat sheet material designed as an exhaust duct wall, leads to high restoring forces and high shear stresses in the adhesive, as well as to compression (which is not optimal just in the center of the ventilation area 22), the construction of the pressure element 44 described here, especially by means of the protrusion 50 of the sheet material 36 as an example of a wall component 36, can ensure sealing around the ventilation opening 22 of the battery cell 14 at the required position, especially as a local seal. In addition, the wall component 36 or the sheet material of the exhaust duct wall 16 is thus more rigid and the possible deflection is reduced, which in turn leads to an improved sealing effect. The shear stress of the adhesive 52 is also reduced. In addition, the cost is lowered thereby.

[0054] Overall, these examples demonstrate how the present invention can provide optimized compression for heat shields in battery systems requiring no heat creep.

Claims

1. A battery assembly (10) having a thermal protection layer (42), the battery assembly (10) comprising: A battery module (12) having at least one battery cell (14), the at least one battery cell having an openable battery cell exhaust port (22), the battery module (12) having a first module side (12a), a subarea (30) of the first module side (12a) forming an exhaust area (30), and the openable battery cell exhaust port (22) being arranged in the exhaust area; An exhaust channel wall (16), the exhaust channel wall having a first wall side (16a) opposite to the first module side (12a) based on a first direction (z), the first wall side including an entry area (24), the entry area opposite to the exhaust area (30) based on the first direction (z), It is characterized in that The entry area (24) has a preset penetration portion (38, 34) opposite to the battery cell exhaust port (22) based on a first direction (z) and a first surface (46), wherein the first surface is adjacent to the preset penetration portion (38, 34). A gap (28) is provided between the exhaust region (30) and the inlet region (24), in which a heat protection layer (42) is arranged in a compressed state with reference to a first direction (z). The battery assembly (10) comprises at least one linear pressure element (44, 50) which is arranged such that compression of the heat protection layer (42) is locally increased in a region (48) between a first surface (46) of an entry region (24) and a first module side (12a).

2. The battery assembly (10) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The locally increased compression of the heat protection layer (42) caused by the linear pressure element (44, 50) extends along a line which partially or completely surrounds a predetermined penetration point (38, 34), in particular a predetermined breaking point (34) and / or an opening (38) formed in the entry region (24).

3. A battery assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The pressure element (44, 50) is designed as a protrusion (50) of the first surface (46) of the entry region (24).

4. A battery assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The elevation (50) of the first surface is designed as a projection of the exhaust gas duct wall (16) pointing in the direction (z) toward the first module side (12a).

5. The battery assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The bulge (50) of the first surface (46) forms an edge region (R) of the predetermined penetration point (38, 34), which surrounds the predetermined penetration point (38, 34) in a closed manner.

6. A battery assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The exhaust channel wall (16) comprises a wall component (36), in particular a plate (36), in which a through hole (38) is arranged, the through hole being opposite to the exhaust port (22) of the battery cell with a first direction (z) as a reference, and the pressure element (44, 50) is designed as a protrusion (50) of the first surface (46), which partially or completely surrounds the through hole (38), in particular, the exhaust channel wall (16) has a preset fracture covering element (40), which is arranged on the exhaust channel wall (16) in a manner of covering the through hole (38), and the portion of the through hole (38) covered by the preset fracture covering element provides a preset penetration portion (34) in the form of a preset fracture portion (34).

7. A battery assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The first wall side (16a) has a first abutment area (26a) and a second abutment area (26b), the entry area (24) is arranged between the first abutment area (26a) and the second abutment area (26b) with a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (z) as a reference, and the entry area (24) is recessed relative to the first abutment area (26a) and the second abutment area (26b) with the first direction (z) as a reference.

8. A battery assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The pressure elements (44, 50) are designed as linear elevations of the second surface of the heat protection layer (42).

9. A battery assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The battery module (12) includes a plurality of battery cells (14), each of which has an openable battery cell exhaust port (22), wherein the openable battery cell exhaust port is arranged in an exhaust area (30) of a first module side (12a), and a first wall side (16a) has a corresponding preset penetration position (38, 34) for each battery cell exhaust port (22), and the entry area (24) is divided into a plurality of sub-areas along a third direction, wherein each sub-area includes exactly one of the openings (38) and / or one of the preset breaking positions (34), wherein the battery assembly (10) includes a linear pressure element (44, 50) for each battery cell exhaust port (22), and the pressure element is arranged so as to locally increase the compression of the thermal protection layer (42) in the area between the first surface (46) of the corresponding sub-area of ​​the entry area (24) and the first module side (12a).

10. A motor vehicle having a battery assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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