Energy storage consisting of an array of battery blocks

Abstract

Housing designed to accommodate a large number of battery cells, ◯which are electrically connected to each other to form a battery block (10), ◯and with a positive and a negative terminal (40, 60) for electrical connection of the battery block (10) in a circuit arrangement (100), ◯whereby the connections (40, 60) are designed as plug connections (42, 46; 62, 66) and are located on a common connection side (20) of the housing (1), ◯ and each of the positive and negative terminals (40, 60) is formed as at least a double terminal (41, 45; 61, 65), ◯and each terminal pole (41, 45; 61, 65) is designed as part of the plug connection (42, 46; 62, 66), and that the plug connections (42, 46; 62, 66) of the terminal poles (41, 45; 61, 65) are located on a common terminal side (20) of the housing (1), characterized in that ○ wherein the part of a plug connection (42, 46; 62, 66) provided in the connection side (20) is formed by a socket (43, 47; 63, 67), ◯ and the socket (43, 47; 63, 67) is geometrically designed as a plus-shaped or minus-shaped plug receptacle (44, 48; 64, 68) in plan view, according to its polarity.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a housing for receiving a plurality of battery cells which are electrically connected to each other to form a battery block according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] These types of battery packs are needed for energy storage, for example in solar power systems, where multiple battery packs are connected to form an energy storage unit. This requires a considerable amount of wiring, which makes replacing individual defective battery packs within the system difficult.

[0003] From DE 10 2009 006 465 A1, a battery block of this type is known, comprising four or six contact units, each of which has at least two terminals. When wiring the battery block, care must be taken to ensure the correct polarity of the connections to avoid a destructive short circuit.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of designing an energy storage device from interconnected battery blocks in such a way that simple electrical assembly and, in particular, simple replacement of individual battery blocks in the arrangement are possible.

[0005] The problem is solved according to the invention according to the features of claim 1.

[0006] The positive and negative terminals are each provided as at least duplicated connection points, so that each terminal with the same potential is present at least twice. Each connection point is designed as part of a plug connector, with the connectors of all terminals located on a common side of the housing and accessible from this side even when the housing is installed. This design has the advantage that, when arranging multiple battery packs within a housing, the housings can be positioned so that their connection sides are on a common side. This allows the terminal connectors to be connected to each other via short, pre-assembled jumper wires, depending on the desired wiring configuration (series or parallel). All connectors are accessible from only one side of the housing.

[0007] The connecting part of a plug connection is formed by a socket, the socket being geometrically designed as a plus-shaped or minus-shaped receptacle in plan view, corresponding to its polarity. This means that the geometric design of the receptacle corresponds to the polarity of the connecting pole, so that the polarity of the connecting poles can be identified at any time both visually and by the connectors used, thus ensuring a correct connection.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment, the connection poles, which are part of a plug connector, are arranged symmetrically about an axis of symmetry on the connection side. This has the advantage that the rotational orientation of the connection side can be freely selected by 180° without the connection poles changing their position.

[0009] The connector plug of a socket has, in top view, a correspondingly coded geometric basic shape that advantageously corresponds to its polarity, i.e. a plus sign or a minus sign.

[0010] If the connection side is designed in a rectangular shape and the axis of symmetry is chosen as the longitudinal center axis of the shape, the terminals of the same polarity and potential can each be arranged along one of the narrow sides of the shape. This has the advantage that – regardless of the housing's orientation – the terminals of several stacked housings are always arranged in a single row. This simplifies the electrical connection using pre-assembled cables, which only need to be slightly longer than the distance between the adjacent sockets to be connected.

[0011] Advantageously, openings for optical indicators are provided on the connection side, with these openings also being expediently symmetrical about the axis of symmetry. The openings are located in the base of a receptacle for a front panel, the front panel displaying corresponding optical indicators that are visible through the openings. The receptacle is also positioned symmetrically about the axis of symmetry of the connection side between the connection terminals.

[0012] Monitoring circuits are provided in the respective housings for monitoring the individual battery blocks. The monitoring circuits of all housings are interconnected via communication ports. Such a communication port is advantageously located on the longitudinal side of the housing's base form, and particularly symmetrically to a central axis of the base form, so that—regardless of the housing's orientation—two communication ports are always adjacent to each other. This has the advantage that the communication ports can also be connected to each other via short, pre-assembled cables. The communication port is advantageously designed as a bus connector.

[0013] In a further development of the invention, a safety contact, preferably a safety switch, is arranged in each socket. The switching state of this switch is detected by the monitoring circuit in a housing and reported to a higher-level monitoring unit. Only when all safety switches are actuated is a proper connection between all battery blocks in the housings ensured, and only then will the monitoring unit enable the battery block circuit assembly via a power unit. If one of the safety switches is open, the monitoring unit will prevent the battery block assembly from being put into operation.

[0014] Advantageously, the connection side is formed by a front panel, which is expediently manufactured as a single injection-molded part, primarily from plastic, and integrated with the connectors of the connection poles. It is advantageous if the electrical contact sockets of the connectors are also injection-molded during the production of the front panel.

[0015] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the further claims, the description, and the drawing, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 In schematic representation the housing of a battery block with a common connection side, Fig. 2 a top view of the connection side of the housing according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a circuit arrangement of several battery blocks as a 19-inch rack-mount enclosure in a 19-inch cabinet, Fig. 4 a circuit arrangement of several battery blocks in 19 inch rack-mount enclosures in series connection, Fig. 5 a perspective view of a connector for the positive terminal, Fig. 6 A perspective view of a connector plug for the negative terminal.

[0016] The in Fig. 1. Housing 1 shown in perspective is, in the exemplary embodiment, a 19-inch rack-mount housing with a front panel 8, which serves as a support element for the housing in a 19-inch cabinet 3 ( Fig. 3) serves. The front panel 8 is fixed to the struts of the 19-inch cabinet 3 by means of fastening screws 9 in a manner known per se, wherein the housing 1 itself is supported on guide rails or the like, similar to a drawer.

[0017] How Fig. Figure 3 shows that in such a 19-inch cabinet 3 several housings 1, each containing a battery block 10, are arranged one above the other, wherein the longitudinal sides 33, 34 of the housing 1 are each adjacent to each other, preferably abutting each other.

[0018] Each housing 1 serves to accommodate a plurality of battery cells, which are electrically connected to each other to form a battery block 10. Each battery block has a positive terminal 40 and a negative terminal 60 for electrically connecting the battery block 10 in a circuit arrangement 100 ( Fig. 3, Fig. 4) on. As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, terminals 40 and 60 of a battery pack are located in a common terminal side 20 of the housing 1, with terminal side 20 being formed by the front panel 8. All terminals are accessible from the front, so that during repair or maintenance work the cabinet 3 ( Fig. 3) does not need to be moved to reach connections.

[0019] The positive terminal 40 and the negative terminal 60 are each configured as multiple terminals; terminals 41 and 45, and 61 and 65, of the same polarity have the same potential. The terminals of a given polarity are therefore parallel to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, each terminal 40 and 60 is configured as at least a double terminal 41, 45, and 61, 65, respectively. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) Each terminal 41, 45 and 61, 65 is designed as part of a plug connection 42, 46 or 62, 66, wherein the plug connections 42, 46 or 62, 66 are located on a common terminal side 20 of the housing 1. The common terminal side 20 is formed by the front panel 8.

[0020] As can be seen from the presentation according to Fig. As 2 results, the plug connections 42, 46 and 62, 66 of the connecting poles 41, 45 and 61, 65 are symmetrically arranged about an axis of symmetry 2, which is provided as the longitudinal center axis 22 of the connection side 20. The connection side 20 advantageously has a rectangular base shape 21, with the terminal poles 41 and 45 and 61 and 65 of the same polarity being arranged along a narrow side 23, 24 of the base shape 21. Thus, in Fig. The positive terminals 41 and 45 are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal center axis 22 adjacent to the narrow side 24, and the negative terminals 61 and 65 are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal center axis 22 adjacent to the other narrow side 23 of the terminal side 20. A receptacle 29 is provided between the terminals 41, 45 and 61, 65, which are arranged adjacent to each narrow side 23 and 24. In the illustrated embodiment, this receptacle is formed as a recess in the terminal side 20 or the front panel 8. The receptacle 29 serves to insert a front panel 4, which bears corresponding markings for optical indicators 27. For this purpose, openings 25 and 26 are provided in the base 28 of the receptacle 29. These openings are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal center axis 22 and form windows for indicators such as LEDs, LED bars, and the like, which are provided in the housing 1 of the insert.On each of the two longitudinal sides 33 and 34 of the rectangular connection side 20 in the basic form 21, a communication connection 30 is provided, wherein the communication connections 30 are on the one hand symmetrical to the longitudinal center axis 22 or the axis of symmetry 2 and on the other hand symmetrical to a center axis 6 of the basic form 21 of the connection side 20.

[0021] The symmetrical basic shape 21 enables – as will be described below – the installation of the 19-inch housing 1 in a corresponding 19-inch cabinet in the Fig. 2 as shown or in an installation position rotated by 180°; for this purpose, the housing 1 is rotated by a perpendicular passing through the center point 7 to the connection side 20.

[0022] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, in the exemplary embodiment the part of the plug connection 42, 46 or 62, 66 formed on the connection side 20 is designed as a plug socket 43, 47 or 63, 67. As shown in particular in Figure 2 Fig. Figure 1 shows that a socket is coded according to its polarity, in particular geometrically designed as a plus-shaped or minus-shaped receptacle 44, 48 or 64, 68 respectively, as seen from a top view. This means that the sockets have a receptacle designed according to their polarity; as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the receptacles 44, 48 of the positive terminals 41, 45 are geometrically designed as plus signs in plan view, while the receptacles 64, 68 of the negative terminals 61, 65 are geometrically designed as minus signs in plan view. The width B of the receptacles 64, 68 of a negative terminal 61, 65 is greater than the width b of the receptacles 44, 48 of the positive sockets 43, 47. The sockets are manufactured as a single injection-molded part with the front panel, with the contact sockets being injected from a conductive material.

[0023] There - as in the Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, connectors 50 and 70 have a basic shape corresponding to their respective polarities, i.e., they are coded. Therefore, a negative connector 70 cannot be inserted into socket 43 or 47 of the positive terminal 41, 45. Likewise, a positive connector 50 cannot be inserted into socket 63, 67 of the negative terminal 61, 65 due to its coding through its geometric shape. Even an inexperienced user can thus only make a correctly polarized connection with the assigned connectors 50 and 70.

[0024] How Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the connector 50 in the plug area 52 is designed in a cross shape corresponding to the top view of the socket 43 or 47 of the positive terminal 41, 45, so that the connector 50 fits exclusively into the socket 43, 47 of a positive terminal 41, 45. Between the plug area 52 and the grip area 53, which also advantageously has a coded basic shape in the form of a plus sign, a circular locking section 54 is formed, which lies in a corresponding circular receptacle 49 of the sockets 43 and 47 of the positive terminal 41 and 45. The locking section 54 is secured in this receptacle 49 by fastening screws 5. As shown in the illustrations, four fastening screws are advantageously provided distributed around the circumference.

[0025] Corresponding to connector 50, connector 70 is coded in the shape of a minus sign for the negative terminal 61, 65. The plug-in area 72 corresponds in shape and size to the receptacle 64, 68 of sockets 63, 67 of the negative terminal 61, 65, whereby the plug-in area 72 is designed to be large enough to prevent insertion into the positive sockets 43 and 47. Connector 70 also has a grip area 73, which is shaped like a minus sign. A circular locking section 74 is provided between the plug-in area 72 and the grip area 73, to which a corresponding receptacle 69 on sockets 63 and 67 of the negative terminal 61 and 65 is assigned. After inserting the connector 70 into the socket 63, 67 of the negative terminal 61, 65, the fuse section 74 is mechanically fixed to the front panel 8 by means of fastening screws 9.Four fastening screws are provided around the perimeter of the securing section 74, ensuring a secure mechanical hold.

[0026] Fig. Figure 3 shows a first arrangement of housings 1a to 1f with battery blocks in a mounting cabinet 3. In the exemplary embodiment, 19-inch housings are provided, which are inserted into a corresponding 19-inch cabinet 3 and are fastened and held to the support profiles of the 19-inch cabinet 3 by means of fastening screws 9. How Fig. Figure 3 shows that six housings 1a to 1f, each containing a battery block, are arranged one above the other, with the long sides 33, 34 of the housings 1 being directly adjacent to each other. In the Fig. In the circuit arrangement 100 shown in Figure 3, all positive terminals 41 and 45 of housings 1a to 1f are located on one side of cabinet 3, while all negative terminals 61 and 65 are located on the other side of cabinet 3. Electrical contact bridges 51 and 71 are now inserted to connect the battery blocks in housings 1a to 1f in parallel, with Fig. Figure 1 shows the electrical contact bridge 51 of the positive terminal plugs 50 in detail. Each contact bridge 51 or 71 has terminal plugs 50 or 70 at its ends corresponding to the polarity, so that each terminal of one battery block can be connected to an adjacent terminal of the other battery block in the adjacent housing. Due to the design of the terminal plugs 50 and 70, the electrical connection of the battery blocks of housings 1a to 1f can be carried out flawlessly even by inexperienced users.

[0027] The communication ports 30 are connected to each other via a contact bridge 81 and corresponding communication plugs 80, according to the connection terminals. The communication port 30 is preferably configured as a bus port 31. A power unit 90 is arranged at one end of the series of housings 1a to 1f, through which the parallel-connected battery blocks are connected to a load or the like. The power unit 90 includes suitable circuit breakers 93, 94 and an emergency stop switch 92. The power unit 90 is connected to the communication ports 30 via contact bridges 81; bus ports 31 for a CAN bus or similar structure have proven suitable.

[0028] At the end of the series of housings 1a to 1f opposite the power unit 90, connectors 50 and 70 are mounted in the free sockets as termination plugs; a corresponding termination plug 32 is mounted on the communication port. The arrangement of termination plugs is necessary because each socket 43, 47, 63, 67 contains a safety contact or safety switch 12, which signals to a monitoring circuit located in housings 1a to 1f the correct installation of a connector 50 or 70. This signal is transmitted via the communication port 30 to a central monitoring unit 91, which only activates the power unit 90 once all connectors and termination plugs are correctly installed. The power unit 90 is used to activate the battery packs, for example, in a solar thermal system, in order to temporarily store generated electrical energy.

[0029] Advantageously, the monitoring unit 91 can be connected via a data connection 95, e.g. to an intranet or the Internet, to enable remote maintenance, for example.

[0030] If a malfunction of a battery pack is detected by the indicators 27 on the front panel of housings 1a to 1f, the corresponding housing containing the battery pack can be easily replaced. Simply disconnect the connectors, remove the housing with the defective battery pack, insert a new housing, and reconnect the connectors. This work can be carried out from the front without moving the cabinet and requires no special knowledge, so it can be performed safely even by less technically experienced personnel.

[0031] In Fig. Figure 4 shows another circuit arrangement 100 for battery blocks arranged in housings 1a to 1e. As can be seen, housings 1b and 1d are mounted rotated by 180° so that positive and negative terminals alternate in each row of connection poles. If - as in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the adjacent terminals are connected to each other by appropriately configured contact bridges 51', resulting in a series connection of the battery blocks housed in casings 1a to 1e, thereby achieving a higher output voltage. The contact bridges 51' are identical in this embodiment; one end is fitted with a positive connector 50 and the other end with a negative connector 70. In this embodiment as well, connecting the battery blocks is simple and requires no prior knowledge; users simply need to insert the connectors assigned to the respective terminals into the corresponding sockets and secure them. As in circuit arrangement 100 in Fig. 3 are also in Fig.4. To mount the termination plug 1a on the first housing, so that the safety contacts 12 are actuated and proper installation of all connection plugs is reported via the communication ports of the power unit 90.

[0032] The front panel 4 of an enclosure is installed in its orientation according to the actual installation position of the enclosure. Since the openings 25 and 26 for the optical indicators 27 are symmetrical about the axis of symmetry 2, the front panel can be mounted in either its original orientation or in a position rotated by 180° while maintaining the functionality of the optical indicators 27. The front panel 4 is thus mounted in a cabinet 3 according to the desired orientation of the enclosures 1, either in parallel or in series, so that the front panels 4 are always correctly oriented for the user.

Claims

[1] Housing for holding a large number of battery cells, ◯which are electrically connected to each other to form a battery block (10), ◯and with a positive and a negative terminal (40, 60) for electrical connection of the battery block (10) in a circuit arrangement (100), ◯whereby the connections (40, 60) are designed as plug connections (42, 46; 62, 66) and are located on a common connection side (20) of the housing (1), ◯ and each of the positive and negative terminals (40, 60) is formed as at least a double terminal (41, 45; 61, 65), ◯and each terminal pole (41, 45; 61, 65) is designed as part of the plug connection (42, 46; 62, 66), and that the plug connections (42, 46; 62, 66) of the terminal poles (41, 45; 61, 65) are located on a common terminal side (20) of the housing (1), characterized by , ○ wherein the part of a plug connection (42, 46; 62, 66) provided in the connection side (20) is formed by a socket (43, 47; 63, 67), ◯ and the socket (43, 47; 63, 67) is geometrically designed as a plus-shaped or minus-shaped plug receptacle (44, 48; 64, 68) in plan view, according to its polarity. [2] Housing according to claim 1, characterized by , that the connecting poles (41, 45; 61, 65) formed as part of a plug connection (42, 46; 62, 66) are arranged symmetrically to an axis of symmetry (2) of the connection side (20). [3] Housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the connector (50, 70) of a socket (43, 47; 63 67) is coded and has a basic geometric shape corresponding to its polarity in top view. [4] Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the connection side (20) has a rectangular basic shape (21) and the axis of symmetry (2) is the longitudinal center axis (22) of the basic shape (21). [5] Housing according to claim 4, characterized by , that the terminal poles of the same polarity (41, 45; 61, 65) are each arranged along a narrow side (23, 24) of the basic shape (21). [6] Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that openings (25, 26) for optical indicators (27) are provided in the connection side (20). [7] Housing according to claim 6, characterized by , that the openings (25, 26) are symmetrical about the axis of symmetry (2). [8] Housing according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the openings (25, 26) in the base (28) of a receptacle (29) are provided for a front panel (4). [9] Housing according to claim 8, characterized by , that the receptacle (29) is formed between the connecting poles (41, 45; 61, 65) in the connection side (20). [10] Housing according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized by , that a communication port (30) is provided on both sides of the axis of symmetry (2). [11] Housing according to claim 10, characterized by , that the communication port (30) is arranged symmetrically to a central axis (6) of the basic form (21) on the longitudinal side (33, 34) of the basic form (21). [12] Housing according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that the communication port (30) is a bus port (31). [13] Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by , that a safety contact is arranged in the plug connection (42, 46; 62, 66) which is connected to a monitoring unit (91) via a communication link. [14] Housing according to claim 13, characterized by , that the safety contact is a safety switch (12) which is arranged in the socket (43, 47; 63, 67) of the plug connection (42, 46; 62, 66). [15] Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by , that the front panel (8) is designed as an injection-molded part with one-piece molded sockets (43, 47; 63, 67). [16] Housing according to claim 15, characterized by , that the electrical contact sockets of the plug sockets (43, 47; 63, 67) are injected into the front panel (8).

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