Electric energy storage device and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical energy storage device having one or more energy storage cells, a delimiting plate, one or more protective elements and at least one support element, a counter force being generated when a force is applied to the delimiting plate. The invention further relates to an associated motor vehicle.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical energy storage device and a motor vehicle having such an electrical energy storage device. Background Art

[0002] Electrical energy storage devices are generally used to store electrical current in motor vehicles or other mobile or stationary devices. For example, such an electrical energy storage device can be used to store electrical current in a pure electric vehicle. It has been shown that such electrical energy storage devices are affected by different accident events depending on the installation location. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an electrical energy storage device which is better protected, for example, in a specific collision event as compared with known embodiments. In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle having such an electrical energy storage device. According to the present invention, this is achieved by an electrical energy storage device and a motor vehicle according to the respective independent claims. Advantageous designs are claimed, for example, in the dependent claims. The content of the claims becomes part of the description by express reference.

[0004] The present invention relates to an electrical energy storage device. The electrical energy storage device has one or more energy storage battery cells. The electrical energy storage device has a bounding plate. In addition, the electrical energy storage device also has one or more protection elements, wherein each protection element completely or partially surrounds at least one associated energy storage battery cell and has at least one contact surface facing the bounding plate. The electrical energy storage device also has at least one support element. At least one protection element is arranged adjacent to the support element such that when the bounding plate bends at the associated energy storage battery cell, the bounding plate presses the protection element against the support element at the contact surface.

[0005] With such an electrical energy storage device, the response of the electrical energy storage device to the pressing-in of the bounding plate can be improved. The protection element can generate a reaction force against the pressing-in and thereby stabilize the bounding plate. Further deformation can thereby be prevented, and damage to the energy storage battery cells can thus be avoided or reduced. Thereby, the resistance of the electrical energy storage device to collision events (for example, in the case of an accident of a motor vehicle) can be significantly increased.

[0006] The energy storage battery cell can in particular be an electrical energy storage battery cell. The energy storage battery cell can in particular be charged and discharged. The bounding plate can in particular be implemented as a flat plate. However, the bounding plate can also be curved. The bounding plate can in particular form the outer boundary of the electrical energy storage device. For example, the bounding plate can be configured as the housing of the energy storage device or as part of such a housing. The protective element is in particular used to protect the energy storage battery cell. One protective element can be provided, or a plurality of protective elements can be provided. Since one protective element completely or partially surrounds an energy storage battery cell, the energy storage battery cell can be protected by this protective element. In this case, the insertion of the energy storage battery cell becomes more difficult because the protective element must be inserted together and / or damaged. Thereby, the protective element protects the energy storage battery cell from insertion or other damage. For example, one protective element can surround an energy storage battery cell on three sides when viewed in cross-section. This can in particular be achieved in a plane transverse to the longitudinal extension direction of the energy storage battery cell. The contact surface faces in particular the bounding plate. This can mean that the contact surface abuts against the bounding plate. However, the contact surface can also be spaced apart from the bounding plate. For example, the contact surface can be oriented parallel to the bounding plate. The support element can in particular be used to form a counter-bearing for the case where pressure is applied to the contact surface, in order to limit the movement of the protective element. Thereby, the protective effect can be achieved or improved. If the contact surface directly abuts against the bounding plate, then any bending of the bounding plate in the direction of the protective element can in particular cause movement of the protective element. If the contact surface is spaced apart from the bounding plate, then a certain degree of bending of the bounding plate towards the protective element can in particular be tolerated before the contact surface subsequently contacts and causes movement of the protective element. According to an embodiment, instead of the movement of the protective element, only force introduction can also be provided.

[0007] According to an embodiment, one, some or all of the support elements are configured as rotary bearings for each protective element, such that when pressure is applied to a contact surface by the bounding plate, another contact surface of the protective element or another section of this contact surface pushes the bounding plate away from the associated energy storage battery cell. Thereby, a direct reaction force can be applied to the bounding plate, so as to resist deformation. If the pressure applied to the bounding plate is so extensive that force introduction occurs not only on the contact surface but also on another section of this contact surface or on another contact surface, then the force acting on the bounding plate can be guided to the rotary bearing, and thereby a more extensive support effect can be achieved. Thereby, the energy storage battery cell can be advantageously protected.

[0008] According to an embodiment, the electrical energy storage device has a further bounding plate, wherein the energy storage battery cell is in particular arranged between the bounding plate and the further bounding plate. Thereby, bounding can be carried out on two sides of the energy storage device (for example, on two side surfaces). The protective effect can be achieved, for example, on both sides.

[0009] According to one embodiment, one, some or all of the support elements are configured as respective further protective elements, wherein each further protective element in particular completely or partially surrounds one or more energy storage battery cells assigned to the following protective element, for which protective element the further protective element is a support element. Thereby, the support element can be configured as a protective element and a protective effect can be achieved on the opposite side. In other words, the further protective elements can be configured such that they simultaneously perform the functions of a protective element and a support element. In particular, by such an embodiment, advantageous bilateral protection of the energy storage battery cells can be achieved. With regard to the embodiment of the further protective elements, reference is made to the description of the protective elements given herein, which descriptions are correspondingly applicable.

[0010] In particular, one, some or all of the further protective elements each have at least one further contact surface that faces the further delimiting plate. With regard to the further contact surface, reference is made to the description of the contact surface, which descriptions are correspondingly applicable.

[0011] The further protective elements can be arranged and / or configured in particular mirror-symmetrically with respect to the protective element. In particular, they can be configured mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane. This plane (which can also be regarded as a mirror plane) can in particular be arranged between the protective element and the further protective element.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the protective element and the further protective elements can also be at least partially integrally configured.

[0013] According to the corresponding embodiment, one, some or all of the protective elements are configured such that each of the protective elements has only one contact surface, and / or one, some or all of the further protective elements are configured such that each of the protective elements has only one contact surface. By providing only one contact surface on the protective element, for example, complete surface contact or uniform spacing with the delimiting plate and / or the further delimiting plate can be achieved. If forces are to be introduced at multiple locations, for example, the contact surface can be divided into multiple sections, where these sections can, for example, be configured as clearly separated sections, for example by providing recesses between them, or can also be demarcated from each other purely based on function or by imaginary lines.

[0014] According to corresponding embodiments, one, some or all of the protective elements each have a first contact surface and a second contact surface separate from the first contact surface. According to corresponding embodiments, one, some or all of the additional protective elements each have an additional first contact surface and an additional second contact surface separate from the additional first contact surface. The corresponding contact surfaces and the corresponding additional contact surfaces can be structurally separated from each other, for example, in such a way that they are constructed on different protrusions of the corresponding protective element or additional protective element.

[0015] According to corresponding embodiments, it is provided that one protective element, some or all of the protective elements each surround exactly one mating energy storage battery cell. It can also be provided that one additional protective element, some or all of the additional protective elements each surround exactly one mating energy storage battery cell. Thereby, each protective element or additional protective element is respectively assigned to exactly one energy storage battery cell and is mainly responsible for protecting it. However, in principle, it is also possible, for example, that one protective element or additional protective element surrounds a plurality of energy storage battery cells and / or there are energy storage battery cells not surrounded by protective elements. That a protective element surrounds an energy storage battery cell can in particular mean that the protective element surrounds the corresponding energy storage battery cell on multiple sides (in particular on three sides in cross-section). For example, an energy storage battery cell can be surrounded by a protective element on three sides and by a boundary plate on another side.

[0016] According to one embodiment, it can be provided that one contact surface, some or all of the contact surfaces abut against a boundary plate, and / or one additional contact surface, some or all of the additional contact surfaces abut against the additional boundary plate. Thereby, direct force introduction can already be achieved in the case of slight bending of the boundary plate or in the case of a correspondingly small force being applied to the boundary plate.

[0017] The boundary plate can preferably cover all of the energy storage battery cells. Similarly, the additional boundary plate can preferably also cover all of the energy storage battery cells. Thereby, bilateral inclusion of the energy storage battery cells can be achieved. However, it can alternatively be provided that the boundary plate and / or the additional boundary plate only cover a part of the energy storage battery cells.

[0018] The boundary plate can in particular be spaced apart from the energy storage battery cell, and / or the additional boundary plate can in particular be spaced apart from the energy storage battery cell. Thereby, in particular, it can be achieved that a certain degree of pressing in of the boundary plate or the additional boundary plate does not yet result in contact with the energy storage battery cell, and thereby damage is advantageously avoided. Pressing in can in particular be avoided or limited by the measures described herein. Thereby, damage to the energy storage battery cells can be effectively prevented.

[0019] In particular, one, some or all of the energy storage battery cells can be implemented as round battery cells. However, alternatively, the energy storage battery cells can also have other cross-sections, for example a square or rectangular cross-section.

[0020] According to one embodiment, one cooling channel or a plurality of cooling channels are respectively configured in one, some or all of the protection elements and / or at one, some or all of the additional protection elements. With such cooling channels, the protection elements can be used for cooling in addition to their protection function. The coolant or other cooling medium can be guided through the cooling channels, so that the energy storage battery cells can be cooled. This can avoid overheating of the energy storage battery cells during charging, for example.

[0021] The cooling channels can in particular adopt any topology within the protection elements. They can be arranged tangentially along the round battery cells, for example, and / or be arranged in a meandering shape on the circumferential surface of the round battery cells.

[0022] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having an electrical energy storage device as described herein. Regarding the electrical energy storage device, all embodiments and variations described herein can be referred to.

[0023] In particular, force conduction can be achieved by the measures described herein, so that potential intrusion can be reduced. The elements described herein can also enable operations for assembly. They can also define the spacing in the battery cell array.

[0024] Compared with the measures not described herein, the intrusion of the battery cells can be particularly smaller because a reaction force is generated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Shown herein are:

[0026] Figure 1 Showing a partial part in the electrical energy storage device;

[0027] Figure 2 Showing a cross-sectional view of the electrical energy storage device;

[0028] Figure 3 Showing a top view of a part of the electrical energy storage device;

[0029] Figure 4 Showing a cross-sectional view of the electrical energy storage device according to another embodiment; and

[0030] Figure 5 Showing Figure 4 a top view of a part of the energy storage device. DETAILED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Figure 1A partial view of the electrical energy storage device 10 is shown. The electrical energy storage device 10 has a plurality of energy storage battery cells 20, and Figure 1 one of the energy storage battery cells is shown. The electrical energy storage battery cell 20 is configured as a circular battery cell. The electrical energy storage battery cell can store electric current, for example, for powering an electrically operated vehicle.

[0032] The electrical energy storage device 10 has a bounding plate 30. The bounding plate covers all the energy storage battery cells 20 on one side. This can be seen, for example, in Figure 2 this figure.

[0033] The electrical energy storage device 10 has a protection element 40, which is assigned to the energy storage battery cell 20. Currently, the protection element 40 is implemented in a U-shape in cross-section. The protection element has a first contact surface 41 and a second contact surface 42. The contact surfaces 41, 42 abut against the bounding plate 30. In contrast, the protection element 40 is supported on a support element 50. Currently, the support element 50 is implemented as a rod. For example, the support element can be supported on an opposing plate or on the vehicle body.

[0034] Now, if a first force F1 is applied to the bounding plate 30 in the region of the first contact surface 41, this first force is an external force and may, for example, result from a collision event, then this force F1 is introduced into the protection element 40. This is indicated by an arrow in the protection element 40. In this case, the support element 50 acts as a pivot bearing, so that the force is conducted to the second contact surface 42 and presses against the bounding plate 30 at the second contact surface 42. This generates a reaction force F2, which stabilizes the bounding plate 30 and prevents the bounding plate 30 from deforming excessively, even in the face of possible external forces, and is resisted by the reaction force F2.

[0035] Figure 2 An embodiment of the electrical energy storage device 10 is shown, which has three energy storage battery cells 20. These energy storage battery cells are oriented parallel to each other. Regarding the bounding plate 30 and the protection element 40, reference is made to Figure 1 the description.

[0036] However, different from the Figure 1 embodiment, the support element 50 is not configured as a rod, but as a corresponding additional protection element 45. The corresponding additional protection element 45 also surrounds the respectively assigned energy storage battery cell 20 and is U-shaped in cross-section as shown. The additional protection element 45 abuts against an additional bounding plate 35 with a corresponding additional contact surface (not separately labeled), which is parallel to the bounding plate 30 and bounds the electrical energy storage device 10 opposite to the bounding plate 30.

[0037] As already mentioned, the additional protective element 45 serves as a support element 50 for the protective element 40, respectively. One protective element 40 and one additional protective element 45 each enclose an energy storage battery cell 20. For the case where an external force is applied to one of the boundary plates 30, 35 and causes deformation of the boundary plates 30, 35, the corresponding force is introduced into one or more protective elements 40 or additional protective elements 45, and the one or more protective elements or the additional protective elements are supported on the additional protective element 45 or a protective element 40. Thereby, further force guidance can be achieved, so that a reaction force is also generated on the boundary plate 30 and / or the other boundary plate 35 in this case. Thereby, deformation of the corresponding boundary plates 30, 35 can be reduced or prevented.

[0038] Figure 3 A top view of the energy storage battery cell 20 with the surrounding protective element 40 is shown. As shown, the protective element 40 surrounds the energy storage battery cell 20 in a circular manner, thereby achieving an all-round protection effect. The protective element 40 can also be used, for example, to be grasped by a manipulator (such as a robotic arm), so that the protective element 40 and the energy storage battery cell 20 can be conveniently positioned.

[0039] Figure 4 and Figure 5 shows substantially the same as Figure 2 and Figure 3 corresponding electrical energy storage device. However, differently, the protective elements 40, 45 are implemented thicker in height, they are partially interconnected and they contain cooling channels 60, 65. These cooling channels 60, 65 can be used to pump a coolant through, and the coolant can be used, for example, to cool the electrical energy storage device 10. This allows the cooling function to be integrated into the protective elements 40, 45, which otherwise exert a protective function. As Figure 5 can be seen, the cooling channels 60, 65 can be guided tangentially along the corresponding circumference of the energy storage battery cell 20 at least partially. This allows for direct and efficient cooling.

[0040] List of reference numerals

[0041] 10 Electrical energy storage device

[0042] 20 Energy storage battery cell

[0043] 30 Boundary plate

[0044] 35 Another boundary plate

[0045] 40 Protective element

[0046] 41 First contact surface

[0047] 42 Second contact surface

[0048] 45 Additional protection element

[0049] 50 Support element

[0050] 60 Cooling channel

[0051] 65 Additional cooling channel

Claims

1. An electrical energy storage device (10), comprising: - one or more energy storage battery cells (20); - a limiting plate (30); - one or more protection elements (40), wherein each protection element (40) completely or partially surrounds at least one associated energy storage battery cell (20) and has at least one contact surface (41, 42) facing the limiting plate (30); and - at least one support element (50), wherein at least one protection element (40) is arranged adjacent to the support element (50) such that when the limiting plate (30) bends at the associated energy storage battery cell (20), the limiting plate (30) presses the protection element (40) against the support element (50) at the contact surfaces (41, 42).

2. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to claim 1, wherein one, some or all of the support elements (50) are configured as rotary bearings for each protection element (40) such that when pressure is applied to one contact surface (41, 42) by the limiting plate (30), the other contact surface (41, 42) of the protection element (40) or another section of this contact surface (41, 42) pushes the limiting plate (30) away from the associated energy storage battery cell (20).

3. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, the electrical energy storage device having a further limiting plate (35), wherein the energy storage battery cells (20) are arranged between the limiting plate (30) and the further limiting plate (35).

4. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to claim 3, wherein one, some or all of the support elements (50) are configured as corresponding further protection elements (45), wherein each further protection element (45) completely or partially surrounds one energy storage battery cell (20) or a plurality of energy storage battery cells (20) associated with a protection element (40) for which the further protection element (45) is a support element (50).

5. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to claim 4, wherein one, some or all of the further protection elements (45) each have at least one further contact surface facing the further limiting plate (35).

6. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the further protection elements (45) are arranged and configured mirror-symmetrically with respect to the protection elements (40).

7. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one, some or all of the protection elements (40) each have only one contact surface (41, 42), and / or one, some or all of the further protection elements (45) each have only one contact surface.

8. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein One, some or all of the protective elements (40) each have a first contact surface (41) and a second contact surface (42) separate from the first contact surface, and / or one, some or all of the further protective elements (45) each have a further first contact surface and a further second contact surface separate from the further first contact surface.

9. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one protective element (40), some or all of the protective elements (40) each circumferentially enclose exactly one associated energy storage cell (20), and / or one further protective element (45), some or all of the further protective elements (45) each circumferentially enclose exactly one associated energy storage cell (20).

10. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one contact surface (41, 42), some or all of the contact surfaces (41, 42) abut against the delimiting plate (30), and / or one further contact surface, some or all of the further contact surfaces abut against the further delimiting plate (35).

11. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the delimiting plate (30) covers all of the energy storage cells (20) and / or the further delimiting plate (35) covers all of the energy storage cells (20).

12. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the delimiting plate (30) is spaced apart from the energy storage cells (20) and / or the further delimiting plate (35) is spaced apart from the energy storage cells (20).

13. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one, some or all of the energy storage cells (20) are embodied as round cells.

14. The electrical energy storage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one cooling channel (60, 65) or a plurality of cooling channels (60, 65) are respectively configured in one, some or all of the protective elements (40) and / or in one, some or all of the further protective elements (45).

15. A motor vehicle having an electrical energy storage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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