Battery system

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery system, in particular for a vehicle, comprising: a battery system housing (12), the battery system housing (12) having an air inlet region (18) and an air outlet region (22) for air flowing through the battery system housing (14); and at least one battery cell (14), the at least one battery cell (14) being accommodated in the battery system housing (12) in a circulating manner by air flowing through the battery system housing (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a battery system which can be used, for example, in electrically driven vehicles. Such a battery system can also be used in other areas of application, for example in connection with stationary photovoltaic systems or the like. Background Art

[0002] Such battery systems usually have relatively large-sized battery cells which are designed to store large amounts of energy and to generate relatively high operating currents. It is advantageous to operate such battery cells for efficient operation and to avoid damage in a predetermined temperature range. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a battery system, for example for use in electrically operated vehicles, with which the temperature of the battery cells can be regulated or controlled in a simple manner.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a battery system, in particular for a vehicle, which has:

[0005] a battery system housing, wherein the battery system housing has an air inlet region and an air outlet region for air flowing through the battery system housing,

[0006] At least one battery cell, wherein the at least one battery cell can be accommodated in the battery system housing in such a way that air flowing through the battery system housing can flow around it.

[0007] Unlike what is generally customary in electrically operated vehicles, a gas, namely air, is used as the temperature control medium in this battery system. This results in a significantly simplified design of the components for conducting the temperature control medium and enables a relatively rapid reaction to temperature changes.

[0008] In order to be able to regulate the air supply in a defined manner in a simple manner, it is proposed that the air inlet region is provided with a first blocking device, which is used to selectively block the air inlet region to prevent air from entering the battery system housing and to release the air inlet region for air to enter the battery system housing. Similarly, for the defined regulation of air release, the air outlet region may be provided with a second blocking device, which is used to selectively block the air outlet region to prevent air from being discharged from the battery system housing and to release the air outlet region for air to be discharged from the battery system housing.

[0009] In order to generate an air flow, an air conveying device may be provided for conveying air through the battery system housing.

[0010] For an efficient conveying operation, it is advantageous if the air conveying device is arranged at the air inlet region or upstream of the air inlet region.

[0011] In order to supply heat to the air for thermal conditioning of the at least one battery cell in order to heat the at least one battery cell, a heating device may be provided for heating the air flowing through the battery system housing.

[0012] The heating device is advantageously arranged on or upstream of the air inlet region.

[0013] The heating device can be arranged, for example, upstream of the air supply device and / or downstream of the first shut-off device.

[0014] For increased efficiency during thermal regulation, the at least one battery unit can have a plurality of battery cells which are arranged at a distance from one another in the battery system housing.

[0015] In order to provide a substantially self-sufficient system, it is proposed that at least one of the first shutoff device, the second shutoff device, the air supply device and the heating device is supplied with electrical energy by the at least one battery unit. It is then not necessary to provide a further energy storage device for operating such a system area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a battery system in battery heating operation;

[0018] Figure 2 Shows the battery cooling operation Figure 1 Battery system;

[0019] Figure 3 Shown in battery isolation operation Figure 1 battery system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figure 1 A battery system 10 is shown in a schematic diagram, which can be used, for example, in an electrically operated vehicle in order to supply a driving engine with electrical energy. The battery system 10 has a battery system housing 12, which is made, for example, of a plastic material and / or a metal material, in which a battery unit, generally designated 14, is arranged. The battery unit 14 can have a plurality of battery cells 16, which are arranged at least partially at a distance from one another.

[0021] The battery system housing 12 has an air inlet region 18, which is designed in a channel-like manner in the illustrated design example and through which ambient air present in the region of the battery system 10 can enter as inlet air Z into the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12. Likewise, the battery system housing 12 has an air outlet region 22, which is also designed in a channel-like manner in the illustrated design example and through which air flowing through the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12 can be released to the environment as exhaust air A.

[0022] In the air inlet region 18 designed in the form of a channel, an air conveying device 24 designed, for example, as a blower, a compressor or the like is provided, which comprises a conveying wheel 26 that can be driven to rotate for conveying the inlet air Z into the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12. Under the conveying action of the air conveying device 24, the inlet air Z flows into the interior 22 and, as indicated by the flow arrows, flows along the outer surface of the battery cells 14 or also between the battery cells 16 of the battery cells 14 that are arranged at a distance from each other. After circulating the battery cells 14, the exhaust air A leaves the interior 20 through the air outlet region 22.

[0023] A heating device 28 is arranged upstream of the air conveying device 24 in the channel-shaped air inlet region 18. The heating device 28 is electrically operated in the illustrated design example and has, for example, one or more heat conductors that generate heat when a voltage is applied. The inlet air Z conveyed through the air inlet region 18 by the conveying wheel 26 of the air conveying device 24 receives heat in the region of the heating device 28 and thus enters heated into the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12, the inlet air having essentially the ambient temperature before entering the air inlet region 18. When circulating around the battery cells 14, the inlet air Z transfers heat to the battery cells 14 and thus leaves the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12 as exhaust air A, which has a temperature that is reduced compared to the temperature of the inlet air Z heated at the heating device 28.

[0024] In order to release the battery system housing 12 for the flow of air as a temperature control medium, the air inlet region 18 is provided with a first shut-off device 32, which is also arranged upstream of the heating device 28 in the channel-shaped air inlet region 18, for example. The first shut-off device 32 can be designed in the manner of a valve or a throttle flap, for example as used in exhaust systems, and can be switched by an associated adjusting drive between a closed position, in which the air inlet region 18 is substantially blocked from air ingress, and a closed position, in which the air inlet region 18 is substantially blocked from air ingress, and a closed position, in which the air inlet region 18 is substantially blocked from air ingress. Figure 1 The adjustment between the open positions shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , which essentially free up the air inlet region 18 for the throughflow of air, is carried out.

[0025] For example, a second shut-off device 34 is provided in the air outlet region 22 which is configured in the channel-shaped air outlet region 22. The second shut-off device 34 can also be configured in the form of a valve or a regulating flap and can be controlled by a configured regulating drive. Figure 1 The air outlet region 22 can be adjusted between an open position, which is shown in FIG. 1 and which releases the air outlet region 22 for a throughflow, and a closed position, which essentially blocks the air outlet region 22 from the passage of air.

[0026] The air delivery device 24, the heating device 28 and the two shut-off devices 32, 34 are under the control of a control unit 36. The control unit can, for example, control different system areas under its control according to the temperature state of the battery cell 14 by taking into account the temperature signal output by the temperature sensor 38. If the temperature signal output by the temperature sensor 38 indicates that the temperature of the battery cell 14 is too low, the control unit 36 ​​can Figure 1 In the battery heating operation illustrated in the figure, the two shut-off devices 32, 34 are actuated in such a way that they are in their open position or are placed in the open position. In addition, the control unit 36 ​​actuates the air supply device 24 to supply the intake air Z through the air intake area 18 into the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12, and the heating device 28 to generate heat in order to heat the intake air Z. Figure 1 Figuratively, control unit 36 ​​can hereby draw the electrical energy required for operating different system regions from battery cells 14 , for example battery cells 16 of battery cells 14 , so that battery system 10 can be operated substantially autonomously with respect to energy requirements.

[0027] In the battery heating operation, the degree of heating of the battery cells 14 can be adjusted on the one hand by adjusting the amount of intake air Z supplied and on the other hand by the heat generated in the heating device 28. For this purpose, the rotational speed of the supply wheel 26 and the heating power of the heating device 28 can be adjusted by the control unit 36 ​​according to the required heat demand.

[0028] Figure 2 The battery system 10 in battery cooling mode is illustrated. In this cooling mode, the intake air Z is conveyed into the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12 with the shut-off devices 32, 34 set in the open position and the heating device 28 not activated. Figure 2The control unit 36 ​​(not shown) operates the air delivery device 24 to obtain the required intake air volume. The intake air Z, whose temperature corresponds to the ambient temperature, flows through the interior 20 of the battery cell 1 and the battery cells 164 arranged therein and absorbs heat in the process. The exhaust air A, which is heated relative to the intake air Z, removes heat from the battery cell 14 when leaving the battery system housing 12, so that the battery cell is cooled and can be kept in a temperature range optimized for battery operation.

[0029] Figure 3 The battery system 10 is shown in battery isolation mode. In battery isolation mode, the two shut-off devices 32, 34 are in their closed position, so that essentially no inlet air can flow through the air inlet region 18 into the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12, and essentially no outlet air can escape from the interior 20 through the air outlet region 22. The heating device 18 is not in operation in battery isolation mode and does not generate heat. The air conveying device 24 can also be deactivated or can be operated, for example, at a relatively low rotational speed of the conveying wheel 26 in order to produce an air circulation in the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12. When the battery cells 14 are passed through Figure 1 When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 38 illustrated in the figure is within the temperature range optimized for the operating setting, the battery isolation operation is selected.

[0030] It should be noted that the battery system previously described with respect to different operating modes and shown in the figures can vary in different areas. Thus, for example, the energy required for operating different system areas of the battery system can also be provided by an external energy source, such as a low-voltage system in a vehicle. Of course, the control unit that controls the different system areas can also be interconnected with the vehicle's information system in order to adjust the operation of the battery system 10 under consideration of other operating parameters of the vehicle for heating, cooling or maintaining a constant temperature of the battery cells. Further, such a battery system can also be used in other applications, especially in stationary applications, such as applications associated with photovoltaic systems installed on buildings or in free areas.

Claims

1. A battery system, especially for a vehicle, having: - a battery system housing (12), wherein The battery system housing (12) has an air inlet region (18) and an air outlet region (22) for air to flow through the battery system housing (14). At least one battery cell (14), wherein the at least one battery cell (14) can be received in the battery system housing (12) in a manner that air flowing through the battery system housing (12) flows around it.

2. The battery system according to claim 1, characterized in that The air inlet area (18) is provided with a first blocking device (32) for selectively blocking the air inlet area (18) to prevent air from entering the battery system housing (12) and releasing the air inlet area (18) to allow air to enter the battery system housing (12); or / and the air outlet area (22) is provided with a second blocking device (34) for selectively blocking the air outlet area (22) to prevent air from being discharged from the battery system housing (12) and releasing the air outlet area (22) to allow air to be discharged from the battery system housing (12).

3. The battery system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An air delivery device (24) is provided for delivering air through the battery system housing (12).

4. The battery system according to claim 3, characterized in that The air delivery device (24) is arranged on the air inlet area (18) or upstream of the air inlet area (18).

5. The battery system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A heating device (28) is provided for heating the air flowing through the battery system housing (12).

6. The battery system according to claim 5, characterized in that The heating device (28) is arranged on the air inlet area (18) or upstream of the air inlet area (18).

7. The battery system according to claim 6 as referred back to claim 4, characterized in that The heating device (28) is arranged upstream of the air delivery device (24).

8. The battery system according to claim 6 or 7 referring back to claim 2, characterized in that The heating device (28) is arranged downstream of the first blocking device (32).

9. The battery system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The at least one battery unit (14) has a plurality of battery cells (16) which are arranged at a distance from one another in the battery system housing (12).

10. Battery system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 referring back to claims 2, 3 and 5, characterized in that At least one of the first blocking device (32), the second blocking device (34), the air delivery device (24) and the heating device (28) is supplied with electrical energy by the at least one battery unit (14).

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