Cover element for battery module and battery module having such cover element

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover element of a battery module (10), comprising a carrier element (2) which receives a plurality of cell connectors (3) in a form-fitting manner, the cover element (1) further comprising a flexible printed circuit board (4) which has at least one temperature sensor (5), the cover element (1) comprising at least one receptacle (6), the receptacle (6) having at least one temperature sensor (5), at least one receptacle (6) is provided in which at least one temperature sensor (5) is arranged, and at least one receptacle (6) is arranged between the flexible printed circuit board (4) and the side projection (7) of one of the cell connectors (3).

Description

A cover element for a battery module and a battery module having such a cover element. Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cover element of the type specified in the independent claims. The subject matter of this invention also relates to a battery module having such a cover element. Background Technology

[0002] The battery module has multiple individual battery cells, each with a positive voltage tap and a negative voltage tap. To electrically connect the multiple battery cells in series and / or parallel, the corresponding voltage taps are electrically connected to each other and thus can be connected together to form the battery module. Specifically, each battery cell can have a first voltage tap, particularly a positive voltage tap, and a second voltage tap, particularly a negative voltage tap, which are electrically connected to each other by means of a cell connector, thereby forming a series and / or parallel electrical connection.

[0003] In addition, the battery modules themselves are connected together to form a battery or the entire battery system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The cover element with the features of the independent claims offers the advantage of enabling reliable measurement of the temperature of individual cells in the battery module.

[0005] Therefore, according to the present invention, a cover element for a battery module is provided. This cover element includes a carrier element that form-fits a plurality of single-cell connectors. The cover element further includes a flexible circuit board having at least one temperature sensor. Furthermore, the cover element includes at least one receiving portion within which at least one temperature sensor is disposed. Here, the at least one receiving portion is disposed between the flexible circuit board and a side protrusion of one of the single-cell connectors.

[0006] Advantageous modifications and improvements to the equipment specified in the independent claims can be achieved through the measures listed in the dependent claims.

[0007] It should be noted here that at least one receiving portion is arranged in such a way that it makes mechanical contact with both the flexible circuit board and the side protrusion of the single-pool connector. Furthermore, it is preferable that the receiving portion is, for example, constructed as a rectangular frame element comprising four frame arms defining an opening in which a temperature sensor is arranged.

[0008] Furthermore, it should be noted that the flexible circuit board includes conductive lines and contact elements constructed of metal, such as copper, which are at least partially housed between two flexible carrier elements, such as a carrier film constructed of plastic. In particular, the contact elements and at least partially conductive lines can also be exposed without being covered by the carrier elements, thereby enabling electrical contact.

[0009] Furthermore, it should be noted that the temperature sensor is preferably constructed as a so-called NTC sensor. This allows for reliable temperature measurement.

[0010] Advantageously, the side protrusions of the single-cell connector are electrically connected to the flexible circuit board in a material-locked manner, enabling voltage measurement at the single-cell connector. This is particularly useful for obtaining the voltage of a single battery cell, with the single-cell connector preferably electrically connected to it in a material-locked manner. Preferably, the single-cell connector, constructed of aluminum, is connected to the copper conductor lines or contact elements of the flexible circuit board by resistance welding.

[0011] Advantageously, a thermal compensation element is arranged opposite to the flexible circuit board. In other words, this means that the receiving portion is arranged on the upper side of the flexible circuit board, and the thermal compensation element is arranged on the lower side of the flexible circuit board. A particular advantage provided by this is that the temperature sensor can be reliably thermally connected to the battery cell housing. Particularly preferably, the thermal compensation element can be provided in the form of adhesive tape.

[0012] A particular advantage here is that the thermal compensation element includes a thermal compensation material. This thermal compensation material is disposed between an adhesive layer disposed on the flexible circuit board and an electrically insulating layer. This also provides the additional advantage that the insulating layer enables electrical insulation between the flexible circuit board and the battery cell, the thermal compensation material enables a particularly reliable thermally conductive connection between the temperature sensor and the battery cell housing, and the adhesive layer enables a reliable connection between the thermal compensation element and the flexible circuit board.

[0013] In particular, the adhesive layer may include, for example, an acrylic adhesive.

[0014] Of particular advantage is that the side protrusion of the single-cell connector includes a spring section that is elastically constructed. Thus, the side protrusion of the single-cell connector can reliably apply force to the receiving portion, allowing the flexible circuit board or thermal compensation material to be arranged at the battery cell housing.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, resistors are also arranged within the receiving portion adjacent to the temperature sensor, and these resistors are configured to compensate for the voltage of a single cell. Here, heat can also preferably be transferred to other individual cells by means of a thermal compensation element.

[0016] Particularly preferred is that the carrier element and the receiving part are made of plastic, and the single-pool connector is made of aluminum.

[0017] The invention also relates to a battery module having a plurality of individual battery cells and a cover element as described above, wherein these individual battery cells are, in particular, each constructed in a prismatic shape. Here, the plurality of individual battery cells are electrically connected in parallel and / or in series by means of a cell connector. Furthermore, a temperature sensor is thermally connected to the housing of one of the individual battery cells.

[0018] Advantageously, the single-cell connectors are electrically connected to the voltage taps of the first and second battery cells respectively by means of material locking, particularly by means of a welded construction.

[0019] It is important to note here that the preferred material locking connection between the single-cell connector and the voltage tap of the battery cell can generate a reaction force, causing the side protrusion of the single-cell connector, especially due to the spring section of the elastic structure, to elastically press the flexible circuit board or thermal compensation material toward the battery cell housing or to arrange it in reliable contact with such housing.

[0020] Therefore, it is advantageous that the side protrusion of the single-cell connector is pressed toward the receiving part in such a way that the thermal compensation element arranged on the flexible circuit board is pressed toward the housing of the single battery cell when the spring section of the elastic structure of the side protrusion is elastically deformed.

[0021] It is important to note here that the prismatically constructed individual battery cells comprise battery cell housings with a total of six sides, which are arranged in pairs facing each other and substantially parallel to each other. Furthermore, adjacent sides are arranged at right angles to each other. The electrochemical components of the respective battery cell are housed within the battery cell housing. Typically, two voltage taps, such as a positive voltage tap and a negative voltage tap, are arranged on the upper side, which is usually called the top cover. The lower side, facing the upper side, is called the bottom surface. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and explained in detail in the following description. FIG1 shows a perspective view of a cover element of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG2 shows a side view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG3 shows a bottom view of a cover element of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the cover element 1 of the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The cover element 1 includes a carrier element 2. The carrier element 2 is preferably made of plastic.

[0025] The carrier element 2 is form-fitted to receive a plurality of single-cell connectors 3. In particular, the single-cell connectors 3 are capable of being connected to the carrier element 2 in a clamping manner. The single-cell connectors 3 are preferably made of aluminum.

[0026] In addition, the cover element 1 includes a flexible circuit board 4. This flexible circuit board 4 has at least one temperature sensor 5.

[0027] Furthermore, each of the single-cell connectors 3 includes a side protrusion 7, or at least one single-cell connector 3 includes a side protrusion 7. Preferably, the side protrusions 7 of the single-cell connector 3 are also material-locked conductively connected to the flexible circuit board 4 such that voltage measurement can be achieved at the single-cell connector 3. For this purpose, the contact arm 40 of the flexible circuit board 4 can be material-locked connected to the side protrusion 7 of the single-cell connector 3.

[0028] In addition, the side protrusion 7 of the single pool connector 3 includes a spring section 30, which is elastically constructed.

[0029] Furthermore, the cover element 1 includes at least one receiving portion 6. The receiving portion 6 is preferably constructed as a frame element. At least one temperature sensor 5 is arranged within this receiving portion 6. The receiving portion 6 is preferably made of plastic.

[0030] The receiving part 6 is arranged between the flexible circuit board 4 and the side protrusion 7 of the single pool connector 3.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in FIG1, a resistor 9 is also arranged in the receiving part 6 adjacent to the temperature sensor 5. This resistor is configured to compensate for the single-cell voltage.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a side view of the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The battery module 10 here includes a plurality of individual battery cells 11. The individual battery cells 11 are specifically constructed as prismatic individual battery cells 110.

[0034] Furthermore, the battery module 10 here includes a cover element 1 according to the invention.

[0035] The single-cell connector 3 is material-locked to the voltage tap 13 of the battery cell 11, particularly by means of resistance welding. In particular, the single-cell connector 3 is material-locked to the voltage tap 13 of the first battery cell 111 and the voltage tap 13 of the second battery cell 112, respectively, thereby forming a series and / or parallel connection implemented in a conductive manner.

[0036] As can be seen from Figure 2, a thermal compensation element 8 is arranged at the flexible circuit board 4 in a manner opposite to the receiving part 6.

[0037] This thermal compensation element 8 includes an adhesive layer 81 disposed on the flexible circuit board 4, thereby ensuring a reliable fastening of the thermal compensation element 8 to the flexible circuit board 4. Furthermore, the thermal compensation element 8 includes a thermal compensation material 82, which ensures a reliable thermal connection between the flexible circuit board 4 and the battery cell 11. Additionally, the thermal compensation element 8 includes an insulating layer 83, which is electrically insulatingly constructed and thereby ensures reliable electrical insulation between the battery cell 11 and the flexible circuit board 11.

[0038] Here, the temperature sensor 5, received by the flexible circuit board 4, is thermally connected to the housing 12 of the battery cell 11. In particular, the side protrusion 7 presses the flexible circuit board 4, along with the thermal compensation element 8 arranged on the flexible circuit board, toward the housing 12 of the battery cell 11 via the receiving part 6 by means of the spring section 30.

[0039] Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the cover element 1 of the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The arrangement of the thermal compensation element 8 on the flexible circuit board 4 is particularly visible here. The single-cell connector 3 is also visible.

Claims

1. A cover element for a battery module (10), the cover element having a carrier element (2) that form-fits a plurality of single-cell connectors (3), wherein, The cover element (1) further includes a flexible circuit board (4) having at least one temperature sensor (5), characterized in that the cover element (1) includes at least one receiving portion (6) in which at least one temperature sensor (5) is arranged, and the at least one receiving portion (6) is arranged between the flexible circuit board (4) and a side protrusion (7) of one of the single pool connectors (3).

2. The cover element according to claim 1, characterized in that, Furthermore, the side protrusions (7) of the single-cell connector (3) are material-locked and electrically connected to the flexible circuit board (4) in such a way that voltage measurement can be achieved at the single-cell connector (3).

3. The cover element according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, A thermal compensation element (8) is arranged on the flexible circuit board (4) in a manner opposite to the receiving part (6).

4. The cover element according to claim 3, characterized in that, The thermal compensation element (8) includes a thermal compensation material (82) disposed between an adhesive layer (81) disposed on the flexible circuit board (4) and an electrically insulating layer (83).

5. The cover element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The side protrusion (7) of the single pool connector (3) includes a spring section (30) that is elastically constructed.

6. The cover element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, A resistor (9) is also arranged in the receiving part (6) adjacent to the temperature sensor (5), which is configured to compensate for the single-cell voltage.

7. The cover element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The carrier element (2) and the receiving part (6) are made of plastic, and the single pool connector (3) is made of aluminum.

8. A battery module having a plurality of individual battery cells (11) and a cover element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the individual battery cells are particularly configured as prismatic battery cells (110), wherein, The plurality of battery cells (11) are electrically connected in parallel and / or in series by means of the cell connector (3), characterized in that the temperature sensor (5) is further thermally connected to the housing (12) of the battery cell (11).

9. The battery module according to claim 8, characterized in that, The single-cell connector (3) is electrically connected to the voltage tap (13) of the first single-cell battery (111) and the voltage tap (13) of the second single-cell battery (112) respectively.

10. The battery module according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that, The side protrusion (7) of the single cell connector (3) is pressed toward the receiving part (6) in such a way that the spring section (30) of the elastically constructed side protrusion (7) is elastically deformed, so that the thermal compensation element (8) arranged on the flexible circuit board (4) is pressed toward the housing (12) of the battery single cell (11).

Images