Carrier unit for a battery module

Abstract

A carrier unit for a battery module, the carrier unit comprising: a bottom portion configured to carry at least one row of battery cells; and two side portions configured to accommodate the at least one row of battery cells in a space formed between the two side portions; the carrier unit is at least partially flexible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a carrier unit for a battery module, a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] At least in nonstationary applications such as vehicles, a high energy density and a low weight of the battery pack are desired. Although there are many concepts to achieve this, there is still a need for further improvement in increasing the energy density and reducing the weight of the battery pack. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect, there is provided a carrier unit for a battery module. The carrier unit includes a bottom portion configured to carry at least one row of battery cells. In addition, the carrier unit includes two side portions configured to receive the at least one row of battery cells in a space formed between the two side portions. The carrier unit can be at least partially flexible.

[0004] The carrier unit can be part of a battery module including battery cells, in particular part of a battery pack. A plurality of these battery modules can be used in a battery pack. Thus, the carrier unit serves the purpose of carrying at least one row of battery cells for each battery module within the battery pack. Designing the carrier unit to be at least partially flexible allows for providing a carrier unit that is at least partially flexible and capable of reacting to forces from inside the space formed between the sides (e.g., forces caused by battery swelling) and, if desired, to forces from outside the sides. At least partially flexible can refer to regions of the bottom portion and the side portions or the bottom portion and / or the side portions. Thus, the bottom portion and / or the side portions can be flexible. Generally, the carrier unit can be at least partially flexible such that it is deformable, e.g., the carrier unit, in particular the bottom portion and / or the side portions themselves or relative to each other, elongating and / or bending, especially when the battery cells swell and apply a force from inside the space to the side portions. The carrier unit can be at least partially flexible such that it is elastically and / or plastically deformable. Thus, in addition to serving the purpose of carrying the battery cells of the battery module and the advantageous modular design of the battery pack to be detailed below, the carrier unit can also provide flexibility between the battery cells and their attachment within the battery pack, e.g., attachment to a housing component or a battery tray of the battery pack.

[0005] The bottom part can be configured to carry at least one row of battery cells. For example, it can include a material design that is rigid enough to carry the weight of the battery cells and flexible enough to allow deformation based on forces from the expansion of the battery cells, such as elongation and / or bending. For example, a thermal interface material can be provided on the bottom part to allow heat to transfer from the battery cells to the bottom part. The bottom part can include one or more material (e.g., metal) plates or sheets.

[0006] The side parts can be configured to accommodate at least one row of battery cells in a space formed between the two side parts. For example, the space can be large enough or long enough in the extending direction of the row to accommodate, or in other words, to arrange the battery cells disposed in their row between the side parts. Additionally, for example, the side parts can have an extension of at least 30%, particularly at least 50%, and further particularly at least 70% of the height corresponding to at least one, outermost, most, or all of the battery cells in the row. For example, the height can be measured in a direction perpendicular to the bottom part. For example, the side parts can be made of a solid piece of material. They can be made of one material or a mixture of materials, such as one or more metals. For example, the side parts can have the shape of a solid plate or sheet. Optionally, the side parts can have recesses, such as recesses in the form of slits. Thereby, optimized force transfer due to the expansion of the battery cells can be allowed via the surface shared between the outermost battery cells in the battery cell row and the side parts during the life of the battery cells. In particular, the side parts can be located or arranged at opposite ends of the bottom part. The side parts can extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom part, particularly its planar extension or surface, in their height. The side parts can be connected to the bottom part at these ends, particularly directly to the bottom part. In particular, the side parts and the bottom part can be made of the same material and particularly made as a single piece, or in other words, designed as a whole.

[0007] In a row of battery cells, the battery cells can be electrically connected to each other in series, for example. A battery module can include one or more electrical connectors (such as a busbar system), which can be further connected to one or more electrical connectors or systems of a battery pack (such as a battery management system). The battery cells can be of any design, such as prismatic, pouch-shaped, etc. The battery cells can be of any battery technology, such as but not limited to lithium-ion technology. In particular, when the row of battery cells is inserted inside a space, it can be fixed between two side portions. For example, the battery cells can be (slightly) press-fitted between the two side portions such that the battery cells are assembled in the space between the side portions under tension. In addition to the battery cells themselves, spacers can be placed between the side portions and the outermost battery cells. Additionally or alternatively, battery pads, for example including compressible material, can be placed between adjacent battery cells. Such battery pads can at least partially compensate for the expansion of the battery cells.

[0008] In one example, the carrier unit can be at least partially flexible to accommodate deformation of the carrier unit due to the expansion of the battery cells. In other words, the carrier unit can be configured to be deformable when the battery cells of the row of battery cells expand, for example in a direction along the extension of the row of battery cells, especially deformable due to being at least partially flexible. The extension of the row of battery cells can be along the length of the row of battery cells. Alternatively or additionally, the extension of the row of battery cells can be along the stacking of the battery cells in the row. The phenomenon of battery cell expansion can occur during the life of the battery cells. The expansion of the battery cells can cause forces on adjacent battery cells along the row of battery cells, effectively extending the length of the row of battery cells. The side portions at the ends or the outermost battery cells of the row of battery cells can receive the forces and deform because they and / or the bottom portions can be at least partially flexible. Thereby, the side portions can further transfer the forces to the opposing attachment portions inside the battery pack to which the carrier unit (especially the side portions) can be attached. The opposing attachment portions can be part of a housing or a housing structure, especially part of the bottom section of the battery pack, such as part of a battery tray. Thus, the carrier unit can be designed to be of low weight and compact, while the forces from the expansion can still be handled by a rigid or at least more rigid structure as the carrier unit, for example, by the opposing attachment portions inside the battery pack. For example, the opposing attachment portions can be formed as one or more walls, the thickness of which can be greater than the thickness of each of the side portions, especially at least 2, 3, 4 times or more greater.

[0009] In one example, at least two side portions can be flexible relative to the bottom portion. In particular, the two side portions can be deformable relative to the bottom. The two side portions can be plastically and / or elastically deformable. If the two side portions are plastically and elastically deformable, the side portions can first elastically deform and then plastically deform and / or further elastically deform. Thus, the two side portions can bend away from the bottom portion to which they can be connected, thereby increasing the angle between the bottom portion and each side portion. This flexibility enables a simple and effective force transfer of the forces generated by the expansion of the battery cell, while keeping the load-bearing unit light and compact to achieve a high energy density and low weight of the battery pack. Additionally or alternatively, the bottom portion can be flexible relative to the two side portions, for example, for bending the bottom portion by means of the forces generated by the expansion.

[0010] In one example, at least one of the bottom portion and the two side portions can have a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 6 mm, particularly in the range of 0.7 mm to 4 mm, further particularly in the range of 0.8 mm to 3 mm, and more particularly in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm. In particular, the thickness can be the maximum thickness of the bottom portion and / or the side portion. For example, the thickness can be distributed substantially uniformly within this range throughout the bottom portion and / or the side portion. The thickness can relate to the thickness of a sheet or layer (such as including or made of metal) of the bottom portion and / or the side portion, particularly the thickness of a single sheet or layer.

[0011] In one example, the bottom portion and the two side portions can include (material) sheets, with the two side portions bent relative to the bottom portion. In particular, the two side portions can be bent relative to the bottom portion at an angle that is substantially perpendicular between the two side portions and the bottom portion. The sheet can be a single material sheet, for example, including or made of metal. The substantially perpendicular angle includes angles in the range of 70° to 110°, particularly in the range of 80° to 100°, and furthermore particularly in the range of 85° to 95°. This angle can particularly refer to the case where the battery cell is not expanded. However, even when the battery cell expands, due to the design of the load-bearing unit and / or its attachment to the opposing attachment portions inside the battery pack, this angle can still be substantially perpendicular within the above range.

[0012] In one example, at least one of the bottom portion and the two side portions can include a metal plate. In other words, at least one of the bottom portion and the two side portions can include a metal layer, sheet, or plate. The layer, sheet, or plate includes metal. It can particularly be made of one or more metals.

[0013] In one example, two side portions are located at opposite ends of the bottom portion. Thus, the cross-section of the carrier unit can be generally U-shaped. The cross-section includes the bottom portion and the side portions. Thus, when the carrier unit is cut in a plane perpendicular to the bottom portion and the side portions, the cross-section is seen. Thus, the space formed between the two side portions can be limited downward by the bottom portion and laterally by the side portions. The upward or top of the carrier unit can be open such that battery cells can be inserted, or in other words, accommodated, as a row of battery cells between the side portions.

[0014] In one example, the bottom portion of the carrier unit can include at least one channel for conveying a cooling fluid to cool the battery cells. Thus, the bottom portion can be formed as a heat sink for the battery module. The bottom portion can be actively cooled by conveying the cooling fluid through one or more channels, particularly fluid channels. The cooling fluid can be, for example, water. The cooling fluid can be circulated through a cooling system for cooling the cooling fluid. The at least one channel can be arranged, for example, in a meandering shape.

[0015] In one example, the at least one channel can be formed between two (material) sheets of the bottom portion. For example, one or both of the material sheets can be recessed relative to the plane of the sheet. One or more recesses can form at least a part, for example, half, particularly in the diameter direction of the at least one channel. The material of the sheets can be the same or different. For example, the material of the sheets can be one or more metals. The sheets can be attached to each other, for example, by welding, brazing or the like.

[0016] In one example, the carrier unit can further include a thermal interface material disposed on the bottom portion. The thermal interface material can be a thermal paste, an adhesive, a material layer or the like for improving the heat transfer from the row of battery cells to the bottom portion of the carrier unit.

[0017] In one example, the carrier unit can include at least two attachment portions for suspending the carrier unit inside the battery pack. For example, one attachment portion can be located or provided at each side portion. For example, the attachment portion can be designed as a lug. The attachment portion can include a hole which can be used, for example, for a bolt connection with a counter-attachment portion of the battery pack.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery module including the carrier unit of the first aspect of the present disclosure and at least one row of battery cells. The at least one row of battery cells can be inserted or accommodated in the space between the two side portions of the carrier unit.

[0019] In one example, the carrier unit may include at least two adjacent rows of battery cells accommodated in a space between two side portions of the carrier unit. More than two adjacent rows of battery cells may also be accommodated, for example, three rows or four rows or more rows of battery cells. For example, one or more channel connectors (such as for the inflow of the cooling fluid and for the outflow of the cooling fluid) may be provided and connected to at least one channel, such as at least one channel between two adjacent rows of battery cells or between two pairs of rows of battery cells. Compared with the design of a carrier unit that includes only one row of battery cells, the carrier unit can thus correspondingly carry multiple rows of battery cells and provide the advantageous effects discussed above by using a single carrier unit, without the need for an independent carrier unit for each single row of battery cells. In addition, one or more cooling channels may be shared by two or more adjacent rows of battery cells.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery pack for a vehicle, the battery pack including one battery module or at least two battery modules according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0021] In one example, the battery modules may be suspended inside the battery pack. In other words, the battery modules may be hung inside the battery pack, in particular by means of their attachment parts attached to opposite attachment parts of the battery pack. However, on the side of the bottom part opposite to the battery cells, i.e., below the bottom part, one or more spacers may be provided, which space the bottom part of the carrier unit from the bottom section of the battery pack. For example, these spacers may include compressible material and / or thermal interface material, or be made of compressible material and / or thermal interface material. Two or more battery modules may be attached adjacent to each other. In particular, they may share one of the opposite attachment parts for suspending the two battery modules together with their carrier unit inside the battery pack.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle including the battery pack according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0023] It should be noted that the above examples may be combined with each other regardless of the aspects involved. For example, the battery pack and the battery module may include the features mentioned regarding the carrier unit, and vice versa.

[0024] With reference to the embodiments described below, these and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the following drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 A perspective view of the battery module is shown;

[0027] Figure 2Shows Figure 1 a top view of a battery module;

[0028] Figure 3 Shows a Figure 1 and Figure 2 perspective view of a carrier unit of a battery module;

[0029] Figure 4 Shows a Figure 1 and Figure 2 perspective view of another carrier unit of a battery module;

[0030] Figure 5 Shows Figure 3 or Figure 4 bottom view of a carrier unit;

[0031] Figure 6 Shows a cross - sectional view of a battery pack of a battery module having at least two Figure 1 or Figure 2 ; and

[0032] Figure 7 Shows a schematic view of a vehicle having a Figure 6 battery pack. Detailed Description

[0033] The drawings are only schematic representations and are only used to illustrate examples of the present disclosure. Identical or equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in principle.

[0034] Figure 1 and Figure 2 show a battery module 30 in perspective and top views, which includes a carrier unit 10 and a plurality of battery cells 21. Figure 3 and Figure 4 show different examples of the carrier unit 10 without the battery cells 21.

[0035] The carrier unit 10 includes a bottom portion 11 on which the battery cells 21 are arranged and thus carried. In addition, the carrier unit 10 may include opposite side portions 14, which may be located at the ends of the bottom portion 11 and / or may extend in height transversely to the bottom portion 11 (especially its plane). In addition, the side portions 14 may extend from the bottom portion 11 at a substantially perpendicular angle. The side portions 14 and the bottom portion 11 may extend together along their lengths.

[0036] In this example, the battery module 30 includes four adjacent rows 20 of battery cells 21, and each of these rows 20 is received (especially assembled) between opposite side portions 14, especially in the space formed therebetween. When manufacturing the battery module 30, the battery cells 21 can be conveniently inserted into the space from the open top of the carrier unit 10. Note that the number of rows 20 of the battery cells 21 can be less than four, such as three, two or one, or more, such as five or more. Therefore, the carrier unit 10 can be designed to be shorter or longer.

[0037] For each row 20 of the battery cells 21, the attachment portions 15 of the carrier unit 10 are positioned opposite to each other. They are exemplarily configured herein as lugs having holes 16. The attachment portions 15 can extend away from the bottom portion 11. The attachment portions 15 are located at the opposite side portions 14, especially at their tops. The attachment portions 15 can be used to suspend the battery module 30 inside the battery pack 1, such as Figure 6 the exemplary battery pack 1 shown in. However, alternatively, the carrier unit 10 or the battery module 30 can be arranged or attached to the inside of the battery pack 1 in a different manner, for example, by supporting the carrier unit 10 on pins or the like (not shown).

[0038] From Figure 3 and Figure 4 it can be seen that at least the bottom portion 11 and the side portions 14 can be made of a single material sheet, plate or layer, such as one or more metals, such as aluminum, copper, steel, etc. Specifically, the side portions 14 can be bent relative to the bottom portion 11, especially at the substantially vertical angle described above. Similarly, the attachment portions 15 can extend away from the side portions 14 at an angle substantially perpendicular to the side portions 14, especially by bending relative to the side portions 14. The attachment portions 15 can also be made of the same single material sheet as the side portions 14 and the bottom portion 11. Alternatively, the corresponding portions 11, 14 and / or 15 can be independent and joined to each other, for example, by welding. However, designing the carrier unit 10 from a single material sheet or plate enables greater flexibility and prevents the carrier unit 10 from breaking at the joints when it is loaded with forces, for example, due to the expansion of the battery cells 21.

[0039] Furthermore, from Figure 3 it can be seen that the bottom portion 11 can include at least one or more channels 12 for conveying a cooling fluid (e.g., including water) from the cooling system 40 (see Figure 7 ) through it to cool the battery cells 21 received in the carrier unit 10. For example, from Figure 4 and Figure 5It can be seen that one or more channels 12 can be formed by or formed between two sheets 11.1, 11.2 or plates, for example made of metal, wherein the first sheet 11.1 (especially the top sheet 11.1) can be one of the at least bottom part 11 and side part 14 made of a single material sheet as described above. The other of the two sheets (i.e., the second sheet 11.2) can be below the top sheet 11.1 and can be joined (e.g., welded) to the top sheet 11.1. Both can be pressed down accordingly to form at least one channel 12 when joined to each other. As shown, at least one channel 12 can have a zigzag shape. In particular, for an exemplary configuration of two pairs of adjacent rows 20 of battery cells 21, each of the zigzag sections of at least one channel 12 can be configured to cool the battery cells 21 of a pair of rows 20, as Figure 3 and Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown.

[0040] Furthermore, there can be channel connectors 19 located between two zigzag sections. These channel connectors 19 can extend away from the bottom part 11 in height, for example, at a substantially vertical angle. One of these channel connectors 19 can be connected to the cooling system 40 to allow the cooling fluid from the cooling system 40 to flow in, while the other of these channel connectors 19 can be connected to the cooling system 40 to allow the cooling fluid to flow out to the cooling system 40, for example, after the cooling fluid circulates from the inlet channel connector 19 through at least one channel 12 to the outlet channel connector 19.

[0041] Furthermore, Figure 3 an exemplary additional attachment part 17 is shown, which can be used to attach the carrier unit 10 inside the battery pack 1 at the short side or transversely to the attachment of the attachment part 15. Furthermore, Figure 3 an exemplary handling device 18 is shown, which is exemplary shown as a lug herein, enabling better handling of the battery module 30 when inserting the battery module 30 into the battery pack 1.

[0042] Figure 4 shown is Figure 3 the carrier unit 10, differing in that on top of the bottom part 11, especially between the rows 20 of battery cells 21 and the bottom part 11, a thermal interface material 13 is provided. As shown herein, a separate section of the thermal interface material 13 can be provided for each row of the rows 20 of battery cells 21.

[0043] Figure 5 shown is Figure 3 and Figure 4At the bottom of the carrier unit 10. In this example, at least one channel 12 can be considered to be optionally formed by the bottom material sheet 11.2 of two material sheets 11.1, 11.2, and these two material sheets 11.1, 11.2 can together form at least one channel 12 therebetween. Exemplarily, a compressible material 22 is provided on the bottom side of the carrier unit 10 opposite to the battery cell 21. The compressible material 22 is exemplarily shown as being arranged at different sections of the bottom portion 11 and having different parts spaced apart from each other. The compressible material 22 can be configured to have compressible or compressed properties such that when the battery module 30 contacts the bottom section 3 of the battery pack 1, the compressible material 22 can be compressed (see Figure 6 ).

[0044] Figure 6 Figure 1 shows the battery pack 1. Here, as an example, two battery modules 30 are provided inside the battery pack 1. The battery pack 1 is exemplarily shown as having its housing 2, and the housing 2 has a bottom section 3 and / or a top section 4. The bottom section 3 can be configured as a battery tray, for example. For example, the top section 4 can be configured as a cover. The battery pack 1, particularly its housing 2 or housing structure, further includes an opposing attachment portion 5 for the attachment portion 15 of the carrier unit 10 for the battery module 30. The opposing attachment portion 5 is exemplarily configured as a wall of the battery pack 1 (particularly its housing 2), such as a side wall and / or an inner wall, in this text. It can be seen that the opposing attachment portion 5 is exemplarily shown as being thicker than the side portion 14, and the side portion 14 can be very thin, for example, having a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 6 mm, so as to be particularly flexible. The same can also be the case for the bottom portion 11, particularly the two sheets 11.1, 11.2, which can include a thickness in the same range and thus be flexible. The opposing attachment portion 5 can be substantially rigid, for example, non-flexible, and / or compressible or incompressible. Thus, they can receive the force generated by the expansion of the battery cell 21 without bending, etc. The attachment portion 15 is shown as being attached exemplarily via bolts 6 or screws inserted into the opposing attachment portion 5. The attachment portion 15 is provided on or rests on the opposing attachment portion 5. The bolts 6 or screws extend through the holes 16 inside the attachment portion 15.

[0045] For the opposing attachment portion 5 designed as the inner wall between the two battery modules 30 of the battery pack 1, two bolts 6 are exemplarily used. However, alternatively, a single bolt 6 can be used, and the attachment portions 15 of adjacent carrier units 10 can be arranged in an overlapping manner, and the single bolt 6 extends through its two holes 16 and into the opposing attachment portion 5.

[0046] Furthermore, there may be a reinforcing structure (not shown) for reinforcing the attachment, for example substantially L-shaped, provided between the bolt 6 or screw and the attachment portion 15. The reinforcing structure may have a greater thickness than the attachment portion 15 and thus be substantially inflexible, i.e., not bendable to strengthen the attachment.

[0047] exist Figure 6 , the battery module 30 is shown suspended inside the battery pack 1. Therefore, there is a gap 7 between the bottom section 3 (e.g., battery tray) and the bottom portion 11 and / or the compressible material 22. For illustrative purposes, the gap 7 may be shown to be larger. In particular, there may be a gap 7 between adjacent portions of the compressible material 22, the gap 7 separating the carrier unit 10 from the bottom section 3.

[0048] In the battery pack 1, when the battery cells 21 expand in the corresponding row 20, due to the flexibility of the carrying unit 10, in particular the flexibility of their side portions 14 relative to the bottom portion 11, the force generated by the expansion of the battery cells 21 can be transferred toward the opposing attachment portion 5 via a small deformation of the side portions 14. Additionally or alternatively, the bottom portion 11 can be configured to bend toward the bottom section 3 when the battery cells 21 expand due to its flexibility. Thereby, a small and compact design of the battery pack 1 with a plurality of battery modules 30 is provided, the battery cells 21 of which are carried by the lightweight and flexible carrying unit 10, while the expansion of the battery cells 21 is handled by the housing 2 of the battery pack 1 or its structure, in particular by means of the opposing attachment portion 5.

[0049] Figure 7 Schematically shows the Figure 6 A vehicle 100, such as a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, is provided with a battery pack 1. The battery pack 1 is exemplarily shown herein as having two battery modules 30, but there may be more than two battery modules 30. In addition, the battery pack 1 may include a cooling system 40 and / or a battery management system 50 inside or outside the housing 2. The battery management system 50 may be electrically connected to the battery cells 21 of each of the battery modules 30, such as two bus bar systems thereof.

[0050] The vehicle 100 may be an electric vehicle. For example, it may further include an electric motor 60 , which may supply energy from the battery pack 1 to drive the vehicle 100 .

[0051] As used herein, the phrase "at least one" with respect to a list of one or more entities shall be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more of the entities in the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each of the entities specifically listed in the list of entities, and not excluding any combination of the entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows that entities other than those specifically identified within the list of entities referred to by the phrase "at least one" may optionally exist, whether related or unrelated to those specifically identified entities. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") may, in one example, refer to at least one (optionally including more than one) A, but no B (and optionally including entities other than B); in another example, refer to at least one (optionally including more than one) B, but no A (and optionally including entities other than A); in yet another example, refer to at least one (optionally including more than one) A and at least one (optionally including more than one) B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and / or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B, and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, or C", and "A, B, and / or C" may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B, and C together, and any of the foregoing optionally in combination with at least one other entity.

[0052] By studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art will be able to understand and realize other variations of the disclosed examples when practicing the claimed disclosure. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A carrier unit for a battery module, the carrier unit comprising: a bottom portion configured to carry at least one row of battery cells; and two side portions configured to accommodate the at least one row of battery cells in a space formed between the two side portions; The carrier unit is at least partially flexible. 2 . The carrier unit of claim 1 , the carrier unit being at least partially flexible so that the carrier unit is deformed due to expansion of the battery cells.

3. The carrying unit of claim 1, wherein the at least two side portions are flexible relative to the bottom portion. 4 . The carrying unit according to claim 1 , at least one of the bottom portion and the two side portions having a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 6 mm. 5 . The carrying unit of claim 1 , the bottom portion and the two side portions comprise sheets, the two side portions being formed bent relative to the bottom portion with a substantially perpendicular angle between the two side portions and the bottom portion.

6. The carrying unit of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion and at least one of the two side portions comprises a metal sheet.

7. The carrying unit of claim 1, wherein the two side portions are located at opposite ends of the bottom portion.

8. The carrier unit of claim 1, the bottom portion of the carrier unit comprising at least one channel for conveying a cooling fluid for cooling the battery cells.

9. The carrying unit of claim 8, wherein the at least one channel is formed between two sheets of the bottom portion.

10. The carrier unit of claim 1, comprising at least two attachment portions for suspending the carrier unit within a battery pack. 11 . A battery module, comprising the carrying unit according to claim 1 and at least one row of battery cells. 12 . The battery module of claim 11 , the carrier unit comprising at least two adjacent rows of battery cells accommodated in a space between two side portions of the carrier unit. 13 . A battery pack for a vehicle, the battery pack comprising at least two battery modules according to claim 11 .

14. The battery pack of claim 13, wherein the battery module is suspended inside the battery pack.

15. A vehicle comprising the battery pack according to claim 13.

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