Device for arranging a plurality of battery cells

Abstract

Device (30; 10, 20) for arranging a plurality of battery cells (40) each having a cover side (42), bottom side (46) and shell sides (44), wherein the device (30; 10, 20) comprises a bottom-side retaining plate (20) for holding the battery cells (40) on their bottom side (46), and the device (30; 10, 20) additionally has a plate-shaped, shell-side spacer (10) arranged parallel to the bottom-side mounting plate (20) with through openings (12) for receiving the battery cells (40) with a minimum distance between the battery cells (40), wherein the shell-side spacer (10) is designed by a first (11) and second side rail (13) and by a plurality of parallel webs (15) connecting the two side rails (11, 13) to each other and the webs (15) have a projection (17) extending at least partially parallel to the wide sides (44a, 44c) of the battery cells (40) to be accommodated, particularly in the middle of the webs (15). characterized by that the projection (17) has a streamlined rounding (18).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for arranging a plurality of battery cells, a housing, a battery cell module and a motor vehicle with the battery cell module. State of the art

[0002] Lithium-ion battery systems are used as energy storage for propulsion in hybrid and electric vehicles. They consist of multiple lithium-ion battery cells that are electrically connected in series and / or parallel, monitored by a battery management system, and mechanically integrated into a complete system. The cells are preferably operated within a specific temperature range to ensure optimal performance, minimal aging, and safe operation.

[0003] However, the battery cells do not retain their shape throughout their service life. Due to aging and charge / discharge cycles, internal forces of so-called "cell swelling" build up, which can reach the kN range. This deforms the battery cells and consequently also the battery cell housing, such as the so-called "cell gan".

[0004] Manufacturing tolerances of the battery cell and the forces described due to cell swelling must be compensated for or absorbed. In particular, a measure is required that ensures a functional arrangement of the battery cells even when considering the forces occurring on the battery cells during operation.

[0005] Various retaining plates and spacers for battery cells are known in the prior art. For example, DE 11 2012 002 518 T5 describes a spacer element that is arranged between a first and a second cell unit and has a corrugated section. Furthermore, the corrugated section has projections which, together with the second cell unit, form a gap that serves as a cooling channel. The spacer element is essentially plate-shaped and is positioned parallel between the side faces of the battery cells.

[0006] Similar approaches are known from EP 2 533 350 A1 or JP 2007200778 A, according to which plate-shaped spacers with projections are arranged parallel between the battery cells. The spacer extends over the entire side surfaces of the battery cells.

[0007] However, from DE 10 2011 120 187 A1 a spacer with a spacer frame is known which encloses the narrow sides of the prismatic battery cells.

[0008] Finally, DE 10 2011 101 022 A1 describes an arrangement for holding a plurality of battery cells, comprising a bottom-side holding device and a top-side holding device. The space between the adjacent battery cells remains free without any further components. A similar approach is presented in DE 20 2010 017 674 U1.

[0009] The state of the art in this regard is represented in particular by the publications DE 10 2010 012 925 A1, WO 2011 / 149 076 A1 and DE 10 2010 037 957 A1. Disclosure of the invention

[0010] The device for arranging a plurality of battery cells, each with a top side, bottom side, and outer sides, initially comprises a bottom-side mounting plate for securing the battery cells at their bottom. This provides a stable base for arranging the plurality of battery cells. Additionally, the device requires a plate-shaped outer-side spacer arranged parallel to the bottom-side mounting plate. The spacer has through openings for receiving the battery cells with a minimum distance between them. The outer-side spacer is defined by a first and second side rail and by a plurality of parallel ribs connecting the two side rails. Furthermore, the ribs have a projection that extends at least partially parallel to the wide outer sides of the battery cells to be received.According to the invention, the projection has a streamlined rounding.

[0011] The invention is based on the understanding that, in addition to a base-side mounting plate, a shell-side spacer makes a crucial contribution to the stable and reliable arrangement of a plurality of battery cells. Since the shell-side spacer spatially confines the battery cells at their shell sides, reliable compensation is provided even when the battery cells swell and the resulting forces act on the shell sides. This swelling process occurs primarily in the direction of the lateral shell surfaces of the battery cells.

[0012] Advantageously, the invention provides a device with which the battery cells can be fixed in all spatial directions and manufacturing tolerances can be compensated for.

[0013] The device according to the invention also advantageously enables the forces caused by cell swelling to be absorbed or balanced. In addition, a certain minimum distance between the battery cells is ensured, which must be maintained according to the requirements for air and creepage distances and thermal requirements.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and described in the description. drawing

[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and the following description. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a first embodiment of the device for receiving a plurality of battery cells in perspective view, Fig. 2 a second embodiment of the device for receiving a plurality of battery cells in top view, Fig. 3 the outer-side spacer of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention for receiving a plurality of battery cells in top view, Fig. 4 a cross-sectional view of the device of Fig. 3 along line AA, Fig. 5 the cladding-side spacer of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention for receiving a plurality of battery cells in top view, Fig. 6 a cross-sectional view of the device of Fig. 5 along line AA, Fig. 7 the cladding-side spacer of an embodiment of the device according to the prior art for receiving a plurality of battery cells in side view, Fig. 8 the cladding-side spacer of a fifth embodiment of the device according to the invention for receiving a plurality of battery cells in side view, Fig. 9 the cladding-side spacer of a sixth embodiment of the device according to the invention for receiving a plurality of battery cells in cross-sectional view, Fig. 10 the bottom-side retaining plate of a seventh embodiment of the device according to the invention for receiving a plurality of battery cells in cross-sectional view, Fig. 11 the bottom-side retaining plate of an eighth embodiment of the device according to the invention for receiving a plurality of battery cells in cross-sectional view, Fig. 12 the bottom-side retaining plate of a ninth embodiment of the device according to the invention for receiving a plurality of battery cells in top view, Fig. 13 a section of the lid-side retaining plate of a tenth embodiment of the device according to the invention for receiving a plurality of battery cells in cross-sectional view, and Fig. 14 a section of the lid-side retaining plate of an eleventh embodiment of the device according to the invention for receiving a plurality of battery cells in top view. Exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0016] A first embodiment of the device according to the invention for receiving a plurality of battery cells as well as the housing and battery cell module according to the invention is illustrated using the Fig. 1 explained. Basically, the invention provides a device 30; 10, 20 for arranging a plurality of battery cells 40, each with a cover side 42, a bottom side 46, and shell sides 44. The device 30; 10, 20 initially comprises a bottom-side retaining plate 20 for holding the battery cells 40 at their bottom side 46. The bottom-side retaining plate 20 ensures a stable base for arranging the battery cells 40.

[0017] According to the invention, the device 30; 10, 20 further comprises a plate-shaped, shell-side spacer 10 arranged parallel to the bottom-side mounting plate 20, with through openings 12 for receiving the battery cells 40 with a minimum distance between the battery cells 40. The shell-side spacer 10 ensures, on the one hand, a defined minimum distance between the battery cells 40, so that the battery cells 40 do not fall below a minimum distance from each other even in the event of cell swelling. On the other hand, the space formed between the battery cells 40 by the shell-side spacer 10 provides a necessary air channel for cooling the battery cells 40 by means of a cooling airflow.

[0018] Advantageously, the shell-side spacer 10 is arranged as an intermediate-level spacer with a distance d to the bottom-side mounting plate 20, wherein the distance d is between 25% and 75% of the total height h of the battery cells 40 to be accommodated (see Fig. 4) Preferably, the distance d is between 45% and 55%, more preferably about 50%. As in Fig. As can be seen in section 4, the distance d is measured from the mounting surface of the battery cell 40 to be received on the bottom-side mounting plate 20 to the middle level of the shell-side spacer 10.

[0019] In Fig. Figure 1 further shows that the outer-side spacer 10 is formed by a first 11 and a second side strip 13 and by a plurality of parallel webs 15 that connect the two side strips 11, 13. In this embodiment, the two side strips 11, 13 have the same width.

[0020] A second embodiment of the device 30; 10, 20 according to the invention is described in Fig. Figure 2 is shown here in a top view. The second embodiment of the device 30; 10, 20 corresponds to the first embodiment, except for the design of the second side web 13. The two side webs 11, 13 are of different widths; specifically, the second side web 13 is wider.

[0021] Another embodiment of the device according to the invention 30; 10, 20 shows Fig. 3. According to the embodiment in Fig. 3. The outer shell spacer 10 can comprise clamping elements 14 for clamping the battery cells 40. The clamping elements 14 are preferably arranged on the side ribs 11, 13. This secures the battery cells 40 in the y-direction. The clamping elements 14 can be designed with ribs, claw stops, or spring elements. Furthermore, the outer shell spacer 10 can be designed as a single, integral component. Separate clamping elements 14 therefore do not need to be connected to the outer shell spacer 10; instead, they are integrated into the outer shell spacer 10 as a single piece.

[0022] Furthermore, the embodiment according to Fig. It can be seen from Figure 3 that the openings 12 of the shell-side spacer 10 have a width b that is greater than a side width c of a narrow shell side 44b, 44d of the battery cells 40 to be accommodated. This ensures that, after the battery cells 40 are placed in the arrangement device 30; 10, 20 - as shown in Fig. 4 shown - a free space 16 formed between the bridge 15 of the spacer 10 and the battery cells 40.

[0023] Furthermore, it is from Fig. Figure 4 shows that the bottom-side retaining plate 20 for clamping the battery cells 40 in the x-direction can also include clamping elements 24. The clamping elements 24 can preferably be designed as ribs, claw stops, or spring elements. The bottom-side retaining plate 20 can also be designed as a single-piece component. In this case, the clamping elements 24 are integrated into the bottom-side, single-piece retaining plate 20.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the device 30; 10, 20 according to the invention. The outer-side spacer 10 does not differ from the outer-side spacer 10 of the embodiment according to Fig. 3. In contrast, this device 30; 10, 20 additionally has a lid-side retaining plate 50 for holding the battery cells 40 on its lid side 42, which in Fig. Figure 6 shows that the lid-side retaining plate 50 can also include clamping elements 54 for this purpose. Advantageously, the lid-side retaining plate 50 is provided as a one-piece component with the integrated clamping elements 54.

[0025] Fig. Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the device 30; 10, 20 according to the prior art. Advantageously, the webs 15 can have a projection 17 extending at least partially parallel to the wide outer sides 44a, 44c of the battery cells 40 to be accommodated. Preferably, the projection 17 is arranged in the middle of the webs 15.

[0026] One form of the projection 17 according to the invention shows Fig. 8. In this embodiment, the projection 17 has a streamlined rounding 18. This projection 17 is optimized for a housing 60; 64, 68 with a cooling device for the battery cells 40 by means of a cooling airflow 19.

[0027] Fig. Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the device 30; 10, 20, in which the jacket-side spacer 10 maintains a distance d to the mounting surface of the battery cell 40 to be received on the (in Fig. 9 (not shown) has a bottom-side retaining plate 20, which is less than 50% of the total height h of the battery cell 40. The shell-side spacer 10 has clamping elements 14 which are arranged on the side strips 11, 13.

[0028] Another possibility for fixing the battery cells 40 is in Fig. Figure 10 shows the bottom-side retaining plate 20, which includes clamping elements 24 for clamping the battery cells 40. The upper illustration shows the clamping elements 24 before the battery cells 40 are inserted, the lower illustration shows the clamping elements 24 after the battery cells 40 have been inserted.

[0029] Another alternative method for fixing the battery cells 40 is in Fig. Figure 11 shows the bottom-side mounting plate 20, which includes receiving ramps 26 for receiving the battery cells 40. The upper illustration shows the receiving ramps 26 before the battery cells 40 are received, the lower illustration shows the receiving ramps 26 after the battery cells 40 are received.

[0030] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the bottom-side retaining plate 20 can also include fixing elements 28, such as displacement ribs. These serve for fixing and tolerance compensation in the x-direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the device 30; 10, 20 can be used as in the embodiment according to Fig. 13 In addition to the bottom-side retaining plate 20 and the shell-side spacers 10, the components have a lid-side retaining plate 50 for holding battery cells 40 on their lid side 42. The lid-side retaining plate 50 may have insertion ramps 56.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the device 30; 10, 20, the lid-side retaining plate 50 also has clamping elements 54, as in Fig. Figure 14 shows the clamping elements 53 for the battery cells 40. The clamping elements 53 can preferably be designed as ribs, lugs, displacement ribs, claw stops, or spring elements. Advantageously, the lid-side retaining plate 50 is designed as a single-piece component. In this case, the clamping elements 53 are already integrated into the lid-side retaining plate 50, and the components do not need to be assembled.

[0033] The invention also provides a housing 60; 64, 68 for receiving a plurality of battery cells 40, comprising a battery container 64 with a device 30; 10, 20 according to the invention. Preferably, the housing 60; 64, 68 also includes a housing cover 68. Even more preferably, the battery container 64 and / or the housing cover 68 are formed in one piece. For example, the battery container 64 includes the bottom-side retaining plate 20 integrated in the battery container 64 and the shell-side spacer 10 also integrated in the battery container 64. Correspondingly, the housing cover 68 includes the cover-side retaining plate 50 integrated in the housing cover 68.

[0034] Furthermore, a battery cell module 70 is provided with a housing 60; 64, 68 according to the invention and battery cells 40 arranged therein.

[0035] The battery cell module 70 according to the invention can be used or installed for a variety of purposes. It is proposed by way of example to equip a motor vehicle, in particular an electrically driven motor vehicle, with a battery cell module 70 according to the invention, wherein the battery cell module 70 is connected to a drive system of the motor vehicle.

Claims

[1] Device (30; 10, 20) for arranging a plurality of battery cells (40), each having a cover side (42), a bottom side (46) and a shell side (44), wherein the device (30; 10, 20) comprises a bottom-side holding plate (20) for holding the battery cells (40) on their bottom side (46), and the device (30; 10, 20) additionally has a plate-shaped shell-side spacer (10) arranged parallel to the base-side holding plate (20) with through-openings (12) for receiving the battery cells (40) with a minimum distance between the battery cells (40), wherein the shell-side spacer (10) is designed by a first (11) and second side strip (13) and by a plurality of webs (15) running parallel to one another, which connect the two side strips (11, 13) to one another, and the webs (15) have a projection (17) extending at least partially parallel to the wide shell sides (44a, 44c) of the battery cells (40) to be accommodated, in particular in the middle of the webs (15) characterized by , that the projection (17) has a streamlined rounding (18). [2] Device (30; 10, 20) according to claim 1, characterized by in that the shell-side spacer (10) is arranged as an intermediate-level spacer with a distance (d) to the base-side holding plate (20), wherein the distance (d) is between 25% and 75% of the total height (h) of the battery cells (40) to be accommodated, preferably between 45% and 55%, more preferably about 50%. [3] Device (30; 10, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized by that the shell-side spacer (10) comprises clamping elements (14), in particular on the side strips (11, 13), for clamping the battery cells (40). [4] Device (30; 10, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the clamping elements (14) are designed by ribs, claw stops or spring elements. [5] Device (30; 10, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the openings (12) of the shell-side spacer (10) have a width (b) which is greater than a side width (c) of a narrow shell side (44b, 44d) of the battery cells (40) to be accommodated. [6] Device (30; 10, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the base-side holding plate (20) comprises clamping elements (24), in particular ribs, claw stops or spring elements, for clamping the battery cells (40). [7] Device (30; 10, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the base-side holding plate (20) comprises receiving bevels (26) for receiving the battery cells (40). [8] Device (30; 10, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the base-side holding plate (20) comprises fixing elements (28). [9] Device (30; 10, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the shell-side spacer (10) and / or the base-side holding plate (20) are each designed as a one-piece component. [10] Device (30; 10, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the device (30; 10, 20) has a cover-side holding plate (50) for holding the battery cells (40) on its cover side (42). [11] Device (30; 10, 20) according to claim 10, characterized by that the cover-side retaining plate (50) has insertion bevels (56). [12] Device (30; 10, 20) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized bythat the cover-side holding plate (50) comprises clamping elements (54), in particular ribs, lugs, displacement ribs, claw stops or spring elements, for clamping the battery cells (40). [13] Device (30; 10, 20) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by that the cover-side holding plate (50) is designed as a one-piece component. [14] Housing (60; 64, 68) for accommodating a plurality of battery cells (40), comprising a battery container (64), preferably additionally a housing cover (68), with a device (30; 10, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 13. [15] Housing (60; 64,68) according to claim 14, characterized by that the battery container (64) and / or the housing cover (68) are each formed as a one-piece component. [16] Battery cell module (70) with a housing (60; 64,68) according to claim 14 or 15 and battery cells (40) arranged therein. [17] Motor vehicle, in particular an electric motor-driven motor vehicle, with a battery cell module (70) according to claim 16, wherein the battery cell module (70) is connected to a drive system of the motor vehicle.

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