Gas discharge chamber, battery assembly and method of discharging gas escaping from cell

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas discharge chamber (10) for a battery assembly (12) for discharging gas (32) escaping from cells (16, 20) of the battery assembly, having a first chamber part (10a) and a discharge opening (34) which is fluidically connected to the first chamber part (10a), the first chamber portion is associated with the first battery module (14) and has at least one first access opening (26) that is at least openable. The gas discharge chamber is designed to be arranged in the first direction (z) between the first and the second battery module and comprises a second chamber part (10b) associated with the second battery module (18), the second chamber part having at least one second inlet opening (28) which can be opened at least, and a chamber wall (38), the chamber wall at least partially separates the first chamber portion from the second chamber portion and is arranged in a first direction between the openable first and second inlet ports and is designed to be movable in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas exhaust chamber for a battery assembly, the gas exhaust chamber is used to exhaust gas escaping from a battery cell of the battery assembly, wherein the gas exhaust chamber has a first chamber part and an exhaust port fluidically connected to the first chamber part, the first chamber part is associated with a first battery module of the battery assembly and has at least one first inlet that can be opened at least, the gas escaping from the first battery cell of the first battery module can be guided into the first chamber part via the first inlet, and the exhaust port is used to guide the gas from the first chamber part into the environment of the gas exhaust chamber. In addition, the present invention also relates to a battery assembly and a method for exhausting gas escaping from a battery cell. Background Art

[0002] Battery systems for motor vehicles are known in the prior art. These battery systems usually include a plurality of battery cells, which can be grouped into battery modules. If a battery cell of a battery system experiences thermal runaway, gases are generated in such a battery cell, which should be discharged in a specified manner. For this purpose, a gas discharge chamber can be used, via which the gas escaping from the battery cell can be directed to the environment. In addition, multilayer battery systems for motor vehicles are also known, that is to say battery systems in which the battery modules are arranged one on top of another, for example in a direction corresponding to the height direction of the vehicle. The gas discharge here is more complex and takes up more structural space. In this case, the gas discharge should be designed in particular to ensure that the discharged hot gas does not come into contact with other still intact battery cells, in order to prevent them from also heating up due to contact with the hot gas and subsequently also thermally running away.

[0003] US2022 / 0255185 A1 describes a battery pack having a battery module, which has a module housing and a plurality of battery cells arranged in the module housing. Here, the packaging housing surrounds a plurality of battery modules in a manner forming a housing and includes at least one exhaust port to discharge gas from the packaging housing. Here, a cross member is arranged in the packaging housing and divides the interior space of the packaging housing. Here, a flow guide member is arranged in the interior space of the cross member and is designed to divert the gas in a specific direction so as to form a first airflow along the longitudinal direction of the cross member. The gas from the battery module can be guided into the interior space of the member on the sides opposite to each other. The deflection structure can therefore be designed to block the gas introduced on one side before it hits the opposite inlet port.

[0004] However, such a design of the gas outlet chamber is very complex in terms of construction and requires a particularly large amount of construction space. Summary of the invention

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gas discharge chamber, a battery assembly and a method which enable particularly effective and, in particular, space-saving discharge of gases escaping from the cells of the battery assembly.

[0006] This object is achieved by a gas discharge chamber, a battery assembly and a method having the features according to the respective independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0007] Here, a gas discharge chamber for a battery assembly according to the present invention for discharging gas escaping from a battery cell of the battery assembly comprises a first chamber portion and a discharge port fluidly connected to the first chamber portion, the first chamber portion being associated with a first battery module of the battery assembly and having at least one at least openable first inlet port, through which gas escaping from a first battery cell of the first battery module can be guided into the first chamber portion, and the discharge port being used to discharge gas from the first chamber portion into an environment of the gas discharge chamber. Here, the gas discharge chamber is designed to be arranged between the first battery module and the second battery module in a first direction, and has a second chamber portion associated with the second battery module, the second chamber portion having at least one at least openable second inlet port, through which gas escaping from a second battery cell of the second battery module can be guided into the second chamber portion, wherein the gas discharge chamber further comprises a chamber wall, which at least partially separates the first chamber portion from the second chamber portion and is arranged between the first and second openable inlet ports in the first direction and is designed to be movable in the first direction.

[0008] Because the chamber wall is designed to be movable in the first direction, the chamber wall can be displaced in the first direction when the gas enters. This advantageously achieves that the chamber volume of the relevant chamber part can be increased according to the situation. For example, if the gas enters the first chamber part through the first inlet, the chamber wall can be moved in the direction of the second chamber part, thereby increasing the internal volume of the first chamber part. On the contrary, when the gas enters the second chamber part through the second inlet, the chamber wall can be moved in the direction of the first chamber part. Since the chamber wall is also arranged between the first inlet and the second inlet, the chamber wall simultaneously protects the gas entering through one of the two inlets from hitting the corresponding opposite other inlet. Thus, the gas introduced into the gas discharge chamber can be effectively blocked before contacting other intact batteries. The gas discharge chamber can be designed to be significantly smaller in terms of its structural space, because the movable chamber wall makes it possible to increase the respective chamber volumes of each chamber part according to the situation. Therefore, each chamber part with a sufficiently large volume can be provided according to the situation so that the gas can be discharged through the relevant chamber part unimpeded until the discharge port. At the same time, this can significantly save structural space along the first direction. The invention thus makes it possible to carry out gas discharge in a particularly effective and, in particular, structural space-saving manner, in particular in the case of a multilayer battery system with battery modules arranged one above the other along the first direction.

[0009] Here, at least an openable inlet should be understood as one that is either always open or open in certain circumstances and is closed under normal conditions. Such an openable inlet can be designed, for example, as a predetermined rupture site or a pressure relief valve or a rupture membrane or the like. The outlet can also be designed as an openable outlet, that is, it can only be opened when the corresponding conditions are met, for example, when there is a corresponding overpressure in the gas exhaust chamber. However, it can also be designed as a permanent outlet. In addition, in order to guide the gas out of the environment of the gas exhaust chamber, another channel system, such as an exhaust pipe, etc., can optionally be connected to the outlet. However, the openable outlet can also directly lead to the environment, in particular to the environment of a motor vehicle in which the gas exhaust chamber is used.

[0010] The gas exhaust chamber can have a shell and an inner space surrounded by the shell in a manner forming a shell. The inner space can be divided into two subspaces by a chamber wall, so that a subspace of the inner space is associated with the first chamber part and a second subspace of the inner space is associated with the first chamber part. Here, the second chamber part is also preferably connected to the second discharge port fluid. Therefore, the gas introduced into the second chamber part can be discharged via the discharge port. Therefore, in principle, the first chamber part and the second chamber part or their inner spaces can also be connected to each other fluidly. However, the chamber wall is positioned so that the gas entering the first chamber part via the first inlet does not directly hit the openable second inlet, but hits the chamber wall. Therefore, the chamber wall assumes the function of a protective plate or a protective wall to protect the corresponding opposite inlet.

[0011] The chamber wall and all other components of the gas discharge chamber are preferably made of a material that is as heat-resistant as possible. Here, for example, steel, stainless steel, fiber-reinforced plastic, organic materials or multilayer insulating materials are suitable as materials, especially for the housing and / or for the chamber wall. The chamber wall can also be designed as a rigid or hard wall and, for example, not elastic. Preferably, the chamber wall is moved while maintaining its geometric shape, in particular its flat shape.

[0012] According to another advantageous design of the present invention, the first and second openable access openings are arranged opposite each other in a first direction, in particular directly opposite each other, wherein the chamber wall extends substantially perpendicularly to the first direction. The chamber wall can be provided, for example, in the form of a plate oriented perpendicularly to the first direction. Here, the chamber wall can also have a certain distance from the housing of the gas exhaust chamber perpendicularly to the first direction, in particular along a direction perpendicular to the first direction. However, in addition to this small distance, the chamber wall can also extend along a second direction and a third direction, which are respectively perpendicular to the first direction and perpendicular to each other, and extend substantially over the entire internal space of the gas exhaust chamber. In addition, the gas exhaust chamber can have dimensions along the second and third directions that specifically correspond to or even exceed the dimensions of the first and second battery modules along the second and third directions.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferred that when the gas exhaust chamber is arranged in a motor vehicle as specified, the first direction corresponds to the vehicle height direction. That is, the gas exhaust chamber is preferably used in a multi-layer battery system, in which a plurality of battery modules, such as the first battery module and the second battery module in the present case, are arranged overlapping one above the other along the vehicle height direction. The gas exhaust chamber is then located between the first battery module and the second battery module along the first direction with respect to the installation position as specified. The gas escaping from the battery module can then advantageously be introduced into the same gas exhaust chamber. In other words, the first battery module and the second battery module can use a common gas exhaust chamber without having to design the gas exhaust chamber to be larger along the first direction for this purpose.

[0014] In order to design the chamber wall to be movable, the chamber wall can be mounted in a movable manner. In particular, the chamber wall can be mounted in a movable manner such that the chamber wall can be moved translationally in a first direction, in particular purely translationally, for example without changing its orientation in space. During the movement of the chamber wall or when the chamber wall is in a final position (also referred to as an offset position) into which it has moved from its initial position, the chamber wall can also continue to be oriented perpendicular to the first direction.

[0015] In addition, it is particularly advantageous that the airflow entering the first chamber part through the first inlet and hitting the chamber wall along the first direction can move the chamber wall along the first direction, and / or the airflow entering the second chamber part through the second inlet and hitting the chamber wall against the first direction can move the chamber wall against the first direction. That is, the movement of the chamber wall is caused by the gas pressure of the airflow flowing into and flowing to the chamber wall. Thus, the volume of such a chamber part can be increased in a targeted manner by the way in which the relevant airflow enters. In addition, the great advantage of this embodiment is that the chamber wall moves passively due to the gas pressure of the incoming gas itself. That is, no active manipulation is required to move the chamber wall. That is, the chamber wall moves passively through the airflow entering and hitting the chamber wall, and thus moves accordingly along the flow direction of the hitting airflow.

[0016] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the chamber wall remains in a defined initial position and can be moved out of the initial position under the action of the gas flowing into the first chamber part or the second chamber part. Depending on the embodiment, the initial position can be defined in different ways. For example, the chamber wall can be located in a defined initial position of the chamber wall in the center between the upper wall and the lower wall of the housing of the gas discharge chamber in the first direction. In this case, the chamber wall can also lie flat on the lower wall of the housing, for example due to gravity, until the gas flowing in therefrom moves upwards in the direction of the first wall of the housing.

[0017] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the chamber wall is held in the gas outlet chamber in a self-centering manner. This refers in particular to the initial position defined above. That is, the chamber wall occupies a self-centering position in its initial position. Here, the chamber wall is at substantially the same distance from the upper wall and the lower wall of the housing of the gas outlet chamber. This has the advantage that, firstly, the gas flow into the corresponding chamber part is facilitated, since, for example, the chamber wall does not first have to leave from the corresponding inlet opening.

[0018] This self-centering retention can be provided in a variety of ways, such as mechanically, magnetically, electromagnetically, etc.

[0019] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the chamber wall is held in the initial position only by gravity. This is particularly advantageous if the chamber wall lies in its initial position on the lower wall of the housing of the gas outlet chamber. This makes the design of the gas outlet chamber particularly simple and cost-effective.

[0020] In another very advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the chamber wall is held in an initial position by means of at least one spring and can move away from the initial position against the elastic force provided by the spring, in particular wherein the chamber wall deflected from a first initial position can be reset to the initial position by means of at least one spring.

[0021] The use of a spring advantageously allows a self-centering chamber wall to be provided, which in the initial position is at a certain distance from the first and second inlet openings or from the upper and lower walls of the housing of the gas outlet chamber. This also facilitates the entry of gas, in particular via the inlet opening provided in the lower wall of the housing, since the incoming gas flow does not have to counteract the entire weight of the chamber wall.

[0022] If only a very weak gas flow enters the gas discharge chamber, it can also enter unhindered, even without overcoming the weight of the chamber wall. At the same time, it is irrelevant whether such a small gas flow can cause the chamber wall to move in the first direction, because the small chamber volume of the corresponding chamber part is sufficient for a small gas flow to be able to be discharged from the gas discharge chamber, in particular via its discharge opening, without hindrance. The use of at least one spring also allows the displacement force required to move the chamber wall out of its initial position to be significantly smaller than the weight of the chamber wall itself. As a result, even a very weak gas flow into the gas discharge chamber can achieve a movement of the chamber wall in the corresponding direction.

[0023] In addition, the possibility of a suitable reset mechanism is automatically provided by means of such a spring. In other words, the spring can be used not only to keep the chamber wall in an initial position, in particular a centered initial position, but can also be used as a reset spring when the chamber wall is in a deflected position. For example, if the gas flow into the gas discharge chamber stops after a certain time, the chamber wall is also reset to its initial position by means of the spring accordingly. If there is a thermal runaway of another battery cell, for example another of the two battery modules, the chamber wall can be more easily deflected again in the corresponding direction in order to also achieve unimpeded gas discharge of the gas of the other battery cell.

[0024] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the gas exhaust chamber has at least one holding device, in particular a magnetic holding device, in order to hold the chamber wall in a deflected position at least temporarily, in particular against gravity, after the chamber wall has been deflected from its initial position, in particular to assist the deflection force exerted on the chamber wall by the gas flow entering the gas exhaust chamber against gravity. The gas exhaust chamber can also have a plurality of such holding units arranged in a distributed manner.

[0025] Here, such a magnetic holding device can be provided as an alternative or supplement to the above-mentioned at least one spring. The magnetic holding device can, for example, include two magnets, in particular two permanent magnets, or include a magnet and a magnetizable material. Therefore, the holding device can include two holding units, one of which has a permanent magnet, and the other either also has a permanent magnet or has a magnetizable material. The holding units are arranged relative to each other so that they exert an attractive magnetic force on each other. One of the two holding units can, for example, be arranged on the upper wall of the housing of the gas discharge chamber, while the other of the two holding units is arranged on the chamber wall, in particular, on a side surface facing the upper wall of the housing. When the chamber wall is deflected upward against gravity due to the airflow entering through the lower wall of the housing, this deflection causes the distance between the two magnetic holding units to decrease, whereby the chamber wall can be attracted by the upper wall of the housing and at least temporarily retained on the upper wall by means of the magnetic holding device. Therefore, the airflow entering through the lower wall does not have to be strong enough to press the chamber wall upward in the direction of the upper wall of the housing. Therefore, the deflection force applied by the airflow to the chamber wall is additionally assisted by the magnetic force of the holding device. In other words, the chamber wall is additionally held on the upper wall of the housing by means of a magnetic holding device, aided by the deflection force. For example, if the airflow flowing in through the lower wall stops completely, the magnetic holding device can be designed so that the gravity, i.e. the weight of the chamber wall, is sufficient to overcome the magnetic holding force, so that the chamber wall can be moved back into its initial position again or automatically and passively. However, it can also remain on the upper wall, for example until the airflow enters through the upper wall or the openable inlet opening provided therein and hits the chamber wall, and the chamber wall moves downward accordingly.

[0026] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the gas exhaust chamber has a channel assembly, which has at least one gas exhaust channel, which is formed in particular by a groove-shaped protrusion or depression in the chamber wall, wherein the channel assembly is designed so that the gas flow guided through the gas exhaust chamber can be diverted by means of the channel assembly, in particular in the direction of the exhaust outlet. By means of such a channel assembly, in particular when the channel assembly is correspondingly formed asymmetrically and comprises, for example, an asymmetrical arrangement of the gas exhaust channels or an asymmetrical geometrical embodiment of (each) individual channel (for example with respect to its channel cross section), a preferred direction, in particular in the direction of the exhaust outlet, can be provided for the gas flow. For example, the gas exhaust channel provided by the channel assembly can be widened in the direction of the exhaust outlet and thus provide a larger flow cross section than, for example, at a greater distance from the exhaust outlet. As the distance from the exhaust outlet increases, the channel tapers.

[0027] Furthermore, in addition to the gas conducting channel, the gas outlet channel, in particular the channel wall, can also comprise further flow elements and / or spark arresters or the like.

[0028] The invention furthermore relates to a battery assembly having a gas discharge chamber according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0029] According to another advantageous design of the present invention, a battery assembly includes: at least one first battery module, the first battery module including at least one first battery cell, the first battery cell having a first battery cell side with an openable first battery cell exhaust port; at least one second battery module, the second battery module including at least one second battery cell, the second battery cell having a second battery cell side with an openable second battery cell exhaust port, wherein the second battery module is arranged below the first battery module in a first direction, and the gas exhaust chamber is arranged between the first battery module and the second battery module in the first direction.

[0030] The invention furthermore relates to a motor vehicle having a gas discharge chamber according to the invention or one of its embodiments or having a battery assembly according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The invention also relates to a method for discharging gas escaping from a cell of a battery assembly by means of a gas discharge chamber, the gas discharge chamber comprising a first chamber part and a discharge opening fluidically connected to the first chamber part, the first chamber part being associated with a first battery module of the battery assembly and having at least one at least openable first inlet opening, via which gas escaping from a first cell of the first battery module is guided into the first chamber part, and via which gas is discharged from the first chamber part into the environment of the gas discharge chamber. Here, the gas discharge chamber is arranged between the first and second battery modules in a first direction and has a second chamber part associated with the second battery module, the second chamber part having at least one at least openable second inlet opening, via which gas escaping from a second cell of the second battery module can be guided into the second chamber part, the gas discharge chamber further comprising a chamber wall which at least partially separates the first chamber part from the second chamber part and is arranged in the first direction between the first and second openable inlet openings, the chamber wall being moved in the first direction when gas is guided into the first chamber part via at least the first openable inlet opening.

[0033] Here, the movement of the chamber wall in the first direction includes the movement of the chamber wall along the first direction and / or against the first direction, that is, the movement of the chamber wall has a directional component parallel to the first direction.

[0034] The invention also includes improvements of the method according to the invention, which have the features already described in conjunction with the improvements of the gas discharge chamber according to the invention and the battery assembly according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding improvements of the method according to the invention are no longer described here.

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

[0036] The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. It is shown here:

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view showing a gas exhaust chamber according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly having a gas exhaust chamber in an initial position according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows a chamber wall having a gas exhaust chamber in a first offset position according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly in FIG.

[0040] Figure 4 A chamber wall with a gas exhaust chamber in a second offset position is shown according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly in FIG.

[0041] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly having a gas exhaust chamber and a chamber wall in an initial position according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a chamber having a chamber wall in a first offset position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly in FIG.

[0043] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a chamber having a chamber wall in a second offset position according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly in FIG. 1 , and

[0044] Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly having a gas exhaust chamber according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiments, the described components of the embodiments are respectively individual features of the present invention that can be regarded as independent of each other, and these features also improve the present invention independently of each other. Therefore, the present disclosure should also include feature combinations that are different from the illustrated embodiment feature combinations. In addition, the embodiments may also be supplemented by other features in the already described features of the present invention.

[0046] In the figures, the same reference numerals respectively denote elements with the same function.

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a gas exhaust chamber 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 A cross section of a battery assembly 12 having such a gas exhaust chamber 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0048] In addition to the gas exhaust chamber 10, the battery assembly 12 also includes a first battery module 14 having a first battery cell 16 and a second battery module 18 having a second battery cell 20. Here, the two battery modules 14, 18 are arranged in an overlapping manner in a first direction corresponding to the z direction shown. The gas exhaust chamber 10 is arranged between the two battery modules 14, 18 in the z direction. The gas exhaust chamber 10 includes a shell 22, which surrounds the internal space 24 of the gas exhaust chamber 10 in a manner forming a shell. Here, the shell 22 includes an upper wall 22a and a lower wall 22b opposite to the upper wall 22a in the z direction. In addition, the shell 22 may also include side walls 22c, 22d that define the gas exhaust chamber 10 along and against the y direction and other side walls 22e, 22f that define the gas exhaust chamber 10 along and against the x direction.

[0049] The gas outlet chamber 10 has an openable first inlet opening 26 associated with the first battery module 14 or the first battery cell 16 and an openable second inlet opening 28 opposite in the z direction, which is associated with the second battery cell 20. Here, the battery cells 16, 20 each have an openable battery exhaust opening not explicitly shown, which is connected to the corresponding inlet opening 26, 28 in a sealed manner, for example via a suitable seal 30. Here, the first inlet opening 26 can be arranged or provided in the first wall 22a of the housing 22, and the second inlet opening 28 can be correspondingly arranged or provided in the second wall 22b of the housing 22. The inlet openings 26, 28 can also be designed as openable inlet openings, for example as predetermined breaking locations, which are opened only when a corresponding gas escape 32 (see Figure 3 ) is enabled.

[0050] The respective battery modules 14, 18 may also have a plurality of cells 16, 20, which may be arranged side by side with one another, for example, along or against the x-direction. Each cell 16, 20 may be associated with its own associated inlet opening 26 or 28. In other words, each first cell 16 may be associated with a respective first inlet opening 26, and a respective second cell 20 may be associated with a respective second inlet opening 28.

[0051] Furthermore, the gas exhaust chamber 12 has an exhaust opening 34 , through which gas can be discharged from the gas exhaust chamber 10 into an environment 36 of the gas exhaust chamber 10 .

[0052] The gas discharge chamber 10 advantageously includes a chamber wall 38, which is arranged in the inner space 24 of the gas discharge chamber 10 and subdivides the gas discharge chamber 10 into a first chamber part 10a and a second chamber part 10b in the z direction, and separates the two chamber parts 10a, 10b from each other at least partially in space. Here, the chamber wall 38 is particularly arranged between the two inlets 26, 28. The chamber wall 38 can be designed as a plate shape and arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the z direction, for example. The chamber wall 38 is advantageously designed to be movable in the z direction. When the gas enters through one of the inlets 26, 28, the chamber wall 38 can be moved accordingly due to the gas pressure of the entering gas. As a result, the relevant chamber parts 10a, 10b can be increased accordingly in terms of their volume. This advantageously allows that a common gas discharge channel 10 can be used for two battery modules 14, 18 without having to design it larger in the z direction to accommodate the gas volume to be discharged.

[0053] Figure 2 The chamber wall 38 is shown by way of example in the initial position A0. In this example, the chamber wall 38 is held flat on the lower wall 22b in its initial position A0 due to gravity. In this example, gravity acts against the z direction shown.

[0054] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the battery assembly 12 in FIG. 1 , according to which the chamber wall 38 is in a first offset position A1. Here, the first offset position A1 is substantially the same as Figure 2 . In this example, the gas 32 escapes from the upper battery cell 16 in the upper battery cell and accordingly enters the first chamber part 10a of the gas exhaust chamber 10. The incoming gas hits the chamber wall 38 in the direction opposite to the z direction shown. The airflow 32 accordingly squeezes the chamber wall 38 downward, i.e., in the direction opposite to the z direction shown. Where feasible, it is possible to squeeze the chamber wall 38 further in the direction of the lower wall 22b of the housing 22. However, the chamber wall 38 can also be maintained only in its initial position A0. In this case, the initial position A0 and the offset position A1 are the same. In both cases, it is achieved that the escaping airflow 32 can use the entire interior space 24 or almost the entire interior space 24 of the gas exhaust chamber 10 as the first chamber part 10a so as to be discharged via the exhaust port 34.

[0055] Figure 4 Show Figure 2Schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly 12, wherein gas escape 32 occurs starting from the lower battery cell 20. The gas 32 entering the gas discharge chamber 10 via the second inlet 28 accordingly hits the chamber wall 38 and deflects it accordingly upward, i.e., in the z direction. The chamber wall 38 in the second offset position A2 is shown accordingly. That is, the airflow 32 causes the chamber wall 38 to rise to its second offset position A2 against gravity. The volume of the second chamber part 10b is thereby increased. Accordingly, the airflow 32 can also use almost the entire internal space volume of the internal space 24 of the gas discharge chamber 10 so as to be discharged via the gas discharge chamber 10 and via its outlet 34.

[0056] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a battery assembly 12 with a gas exhaust chamber 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The battery assembly 12 and the gas exhaust chamber 10 can be designed as described above, except for the following differences: In this example, the initial position A0 of the chamber wall 38 is realized in a different way and is located in the center between the two walls 22a, 22b in the z direction. The chamber wall 38 is maintained in its initial position A0 by means of a spring device 40, which includes at least one spring 41 and currently includes a plurality of springs 41. In the state shown, in which the chamber wall 38 is in the initial position A0, the spring 41 can be in a relaxed state or in a mechanically partially tensioned state. Here, some springs 41 can be tightened and some springs relaxed.

[0057] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 , wherein the chamber wall 38 is now again in the first deflected state A1. In this example, the gas 32 escapes again from the upper cell 16 and enters the gas discharge chamber 10 via the first inlet opening 26. As a result, the chamber wall 38 is pressed downwards against the z-direction, so that the inner volume of the first chamber part 10a is increased. Here, the gas 32 to be discharged can again use a large part of the inner space 24 of the gas discharge chamber 10.

[0058] Figure 7 Show Figure 5 , wherein the chamber wall 38 is now in its second offset position A2. When the gas 32 escapes from the lower battery cell 20, the chamber wall 38 automatically and passively occupies the second offset position, wherein the escaping gas 32 accordingly presses the wall 38 upward in the Z direction, thereby expanding the second chamber part 10b. If the corresponding gas flow 32 stops, it can be achieved by the spring device 40 that the chamber wall 38 returns to its initial position A0 again.

[0059] In order to simplify the exhaust of the lower battery cell 20, a retaining device, in particular a magnetic retaining device 42, can be additionally provided as part of the gas exhaust chamber 10, which is only used as an example in the present invention. Figure 7 Schematically shown in . The holding device 42 can include a first holding element 42a as part of the upper wall 22a and a second holding element 42b as part of the chamber wall 38. These holding elements 42a, 42b can be designed, for example, as permanent magnets, which are positioned so that they attract each other. If the chamber wall 38 moves upward into its second offset position A2, the wall 38 is additionally held on the upper wall 22 by a holding force, in particular a magnetic holding force of the magnetic holding device 42. Thus, over time, that is to say even when the gas flow decreases, it can be ensured that the gas 32 flows out of the lower battery cell 20 reliably.

[0060] Alternatively, however, the spring device 40 can also be designed such that the deflection force for deflecting the wall 38 from its initial position A0 into the first deflection position A1 and in particular into the second deflection position A2 is very small, in particular significantly smaller than the weight of the wall 38 .

[0061] Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of a battery assembly 12 with a gas exhaust chamber 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Also in this example, the battery assembly 12 and the gas exhaust chamber 10 can be designed as described above, except for the following differences: in this example, the gas exhaust chamber 10 includes a channel assembly 43, which in this example includes two channels 44a, 44b. Here, these channels 44a, 44b are formed in the wall 38 itself, for example, in the form of protrusions and / or grooves. These channels 44a, 44b can be used for gas deflection. For example, the channels 44a, 44b can extend in the x-direction and widen in the direction of the exhaust port 34 so as to deflect the gas flow 32 in a targeted manner in the direction of the exhaust port 34.

[0062] In general, the example shows how a variable, adaptable exhaust channel can be provided by the present invention. The exhaust channel enables exhaust of a high-voltage battery housing with multiple layers in order to centralize the exhaust without affecting adjacent cells. Here, the gas pressure of the exhaust cell moves a metal plate as an example of a channel wall as required and deflects the air flow, thereby opening up a volume for additional exhaust. The plate moves independently regardless of whether the air flow hits the plate from above or below. Gravity keeps the plate in the initial position. For example, the plate places itself in the center of the exhaust chamber. It is particularly feasible here to mechanically move the plate in the housing by self-centering, to position and reset the plate by elastic force, and to arrange the channels asymmetrically in order to provide a preferred direction for the air flow. The variable plate includes flow elements such as spark arresters and gas guide channels. The air flow is directed outward by the flexible positioning of the plate. The plate can be made of different materials, such as steel, fiber-reinforced plastic, organic material or multi-layer insulating material.

Claims

1. A gas exhaust chamber (10) for a battery assembly (12), the gas exhaust chamber being used to exhaust gas (32) escaping from a battery cell (16, 20) of the battery assembly (12), wherein: The gas exhaust chamber (10) has: a first chamber portion (10a) which is associated with a first battery module (14) of the battery assembly (12) and has at least one first inlet opening (26) which can be opened, and through which gas (32) escaping from a first battery cell (16) of the first battery module (14) can be guided into the first chamber portion (10a), an outlet opening (34) fluidically connected to the first chamber part (10a), the outlet opening being used to discharge the gas (32) from the first chamber part (10a) into an environment (36) of the gas outlet chamber (10), It is characterized in that Gas exhaust chamber (10) - designed to be arranged between the first battery module (14) and the second battery module (18) in a first direction (z), - having a second chamber portion (10b) associated with a second battery module (18), the second chamber portion having at least one second inlet opening (28) which can be opened, and through which gas (32) escaping from a second battery cell (20) of the second battery module (18) can be guided into the second chamber portion (10b), - comprising a chamber wall (38) which at least partially separates the first chamber part (10a) from the second chamber part (10b) and is arranged between the first openable inlet opening (26) and the second openable inlet opening (28) in a first direction (z) and is designed to be movable in the first direction (z).

2. The gas exhaust chamber (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first openable inlet opening (26) and the second openable inlet opening (28) are located opposite one another in a first direction (z), in particular wherein the chamber wall (38) extends substantially perpendicularly to the first direction (z).

3. The gas exhaust chamber (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that An airflow (32) entering the first chamber portion (10a) through the first inlet port (26) and striking the chamber wall (38) along a first direction (z) can cause the chamber wall (38) to move along the first direction (z), and / or an airflow (32) entering the second chamber portion (10b) through the second inlet port (28) and striking the chamber wall (38) in the opposite direction (z) can cause the chamber wall (38) to move in the opposite direction (z).

4. The gas exhaust chamber (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The chamber wall (38) remains in a defined initial position (A0) and can be moved out of the initial position (A0) under the action of a gas (32) flowing into the first chamber part (10a) or the second chamber part (10b).

5. The gas exhaust chamber (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The chamber wall (38) is held in the gas exhaust chamber (10) in a self-centering manner.

6. A gas exhaust chamber (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The chamber wall (38) is held in the initial position (A0) only by gravity.

7. A gas exhaust chamber (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The chamber wall (38) is held in an initial position (A0) by means of at least one spring (41) and can move away from the initial position (A0) by overcoming the elastic force provided by the spring (41), in particular, the chamber wall (38) deflected from the initial position (A0) can be reset to the initial position (A0) by means of the at least one spring (41).

8. The gas exhaust chamber (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The gas exhaust chamber (10) has a retaining device (42), in particular a magnetic retaining device (42), in order to at least temporarily retain the chamber wall (38) in a deflected position (A1, A2) after the chamber wall (38) has been deflected from its initial position (A0), in particular in an effort to overcome gravity, in particular to assist in the deflection force exerted on the chamber wall (38) by a gas flow (32) entering the gas exhaust chamber (10) in an effort to overcome gravity.

9. A gas exhaust chamber (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The gas exhaust chamber (10) has a channel assembly (43) with at least one gas exhaust channel (44a, 44b), wherein the at least one gas exhaust channel is particularly formed by a groove-shaped protrusion or depression in the chamber wall (38), wherein the channel assembly (43) is designed so that a gas flow (32) guided through the gas exhaust chamber (10) can be deflected by means of the channel assembly (43), particularly in the direction of an exhaust outlet (34).

10. A battery assembly (12) having a gas exhaust chamber (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the battery assembly comprising: - at least one first battery module (14), the at least one first battery module comprising at least one first battery cell (16), the at least one first battery cell having a first battery cell side with an openable first battery cell vent, - at least one second battery module (18), the at least one second battery module comprising at least one second battery cell (20), the at least one second battery cell having a second battery cell side with an openable second battery cell vent, -in, The second battery module (18) is arranged below the first battery module (14) in the first direction (z), and the gas exhaust chamber (10) is arranged between the first battery module (14) and the second battery module (18) in the first direction (z).

11. A method for discharging gas (32) escaping from a battery cell (16, 20) of a battery assembly (12) by means of a gas discharge chamber (10), the gas discharge chamber having: a first chamber portion (10a) which is associated with a first battery module (14) of the battery assembly (12) and has at least one first inlet opening (26) which can be opened, through which gas (32) escaping from a first battery cell (16) of the first battery module (14) is guided into the first chamber portion (10a), an outlet opening (34) fluidically connected to the first chamber part (10a), via which the gas (32) is discharged from the first chamber part (10a) into the environment (36) of the gas outlet chamber (10), It is characterized in that Gas exhaust chamber (10) - arranged between the first battery module (14) and the second battery module (18) in a first direction (z), - having a second chamber portion (10b) associated with a second battery module (18), the second chamber portion having at least one second inlet opening (28) which can be opened, and through which gas (32) escaping from a second battery cell (20) of the second battery module (18) can be guided into the second chamber portion (10b), - comprising a chamber wall (38) which at least partially separates the first chamber part (10a) from the second chamber part (10b) and is arranged in a first direction (z) between the first openable inlet opening (26) and the second openable inlet opening (28), and when the gas (32) is introduced into the first chamber part (10a) via at least the first openable inlet opening (26), the chamber wall (38) moves in the first direction (z).

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