Energy storage device for a vehicle and method for producing an energy storage device

Abstract

Energy storage device (1) for a vehicle, wherein the energy storage device (1) has a plurality of energy storage cells (20), wherein the energy storage device (1) comprises at least one electrically insulating and heat-conducting cooling component (12) to form a base body (10), wherein at least one of the plurality of energy storage cells (20) is embedded in a receptacle (11) defined by the base body (10) via an opening in the receptacle (11), wherein a heat-conducting filling element (3) is arranged at least partially in the receptacle (11) between the energy storage cell (20) and the cooling component (12), characterized in that on a first side of the energy storage device (1), which is opposite the opening of the receptacle (11), a cooling system (15) is provided which extends over the entire adjacent side of the base body (10) or beyond, wherein the cooling system (15) is designed in the form of a channel system comprising cooling fins (16) with channels running parallel to one another and connected to one another, and wherein a thermally insulating closing element (18) is arranged on the cooling fins (16) on the side facing away from the base body (10), which is part of the channel system of the cooling system (15) and is correspondingly sealingly connected to the cooling fins (16), the energy storage device (1) has, on a side of the base body (10) facing away from the cooling system (15), a cell holder plate (13) by means of which the energy storage cells (20) are fixed, wherein the cell holder plate (13) has shoulders for forming a positive connection serving to fix the energy storage cells (20), and wherein the cell holder plate (13) has further recesses or bores through which fixing means (14) extend in order to mount the cell holder plate (13) on the base body (10), wherein the cell holder plate (13) has at least one bore for degassing the energy storage cells (20).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy storage device for a vehicle and a method for producing this energy storage device.

[0002] The use of energy storage devices in vehicles is well known. In particular, the use of energy storage devices, for example in the form of a traction battery, to power the vehicle is now a regular focus of vehicle development. One of the technical challenges is dealing with the heat generated by the energy storage cells, which are typically modularly assembled to form an energy storage device.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2013 015 208 B3 discloses a device for temperature regulation in an energy storage device.

[0004] US 2011 / 0 090 614 A1 discloses an energy storage device for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an energy storage device which is further improved compared to the prior art, in particular with regard to measures against undesirable heat development in the energy storage device and handling of the energy storage cells.

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by an energy storage device for a vehicle according to claim 1.

[0007] Compared to the prior art, the energy storage device according to the invention has the advantage that heat can be advantageously dissipated from the energy storage cells.

[0008] It is provided that the energy storage device comprises a cooling system, in particular a cooling system for the joint cooling of several cooling components. The cooling system comprises cooling channels arranged along a side surface of the base body. To form the cooling channels, cooling fins are provided on the base body. These fins, together with the thermally insulating closing element, for example a plastic plate, form a system of cavities that form the cooling channels, through which a cooling liquid can be conducted. In this way, a cold source is advantageously provided on one side of the base body, with which heat can be dissipated away from the base body.

[0009] The energy storage cells are secured by means of a cell holder plate, which preferably has a hole for degassing. The cell holder plate is arranged on the side of the base body opposite the cooling system and is connected to the base body.

[0010] The filler element is preferably in direct contact with the energy storage cell, i.e. the energy storage cell does not have a casing, for example in the form of varnish or shrink tubing, which further positively supports heat dissipation because thermal contact between the energy storage cell and the filler element is improved. The energy storage cells can be, for example, supercapacitors, pouch cells, round cells or prismatic cells. It is also conceivable for the base body to be formed in one piece or from several components, in particular cooling components. To form a base body, it is also conceivable, for example, that the individual cooling components forming the base body are not directly connected to one another, but are joined together to form the base body via non-cooling components. Block-like, cross-brace-like or wave-like elements can be used as cooling components, for example.Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the receptacle is adapted to the geometric shape of the intended energy storage cell. For example, the energy storage cell has a cylindrical shape, and the receptacle is preferably a blind bore. In particular, it is provided that the energy storage cells are electrically connected to one another via an electrical contact, for example by means of a weld and / or a welding tab.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and the description with reference to the drawings.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the heat-conducting filler element is a paste or a hardened liquid. It is conceivable that the paste or hardened liquid is so elastic that the heat-conducting filler element yields upon thermally induced expansion of the energy storage cell or permits expansion of the energy storage cell. This advantageously prevents potential damage that would otherwise occur upon thermally induced expansion of the energy storage cell. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the filler element extends within the entire receptacle between the energy storage cell and the cooling component.

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the cooling component comprises ceramic. Preferably, the base body is a ceramic base body or a ceramic cooling component. Due to the electrically insulating properties of the ceramic, the individual energy storage cells are electrically insulated and can be interconnected as desired. In another embodiment, which is particularly advantageous for cost reasons, the cooling component comprises thermally conductive plastic.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is a method for producing an energy storage device for a vehicle according to claim 4.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a paste and / or a liquid is filled into the receptacle as a heat-conducting filler element, wherein the paste and / or liquid is preferably cured after the insertion of the energy storage cell. It is conceivable that energy, for example in the form of heat or light, is used for curing.

[0016] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings illustrate merely exemplary embodiments of the invention, which do not limit the essential inventive concept.

[0017] The Fig. 1 shows a perspective and schematic view of an energy storage device for a vehicle according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of an energy storage device for a vehicle according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of an energy storage device for a vehicle according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of an energy storage device for a vehicle according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference symbols and are therefore usually named or mentioned only once.

[0022] In Fig. 1 shows an energy storage device 1 for a vehicle according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the energy storage device 1 is a traction battery intended to drive the vehicle. In particular, the energy storage device 1 is provided with a plurality of energy storage cells 20, in particular interconnected energy storage cells. For example, supercapacitors, pouch cells, round cells, or prismatic cells are conceivable as energy storage cells 20.

[0023] The energy storage device 1 preferably comprises a base body 10 made of an electrically non-conductive and also thermally conductive cooling component 12, which preferably comprises ceramic or is made of ceramic or thermally conductive plastic. Due to the electrically insulating properties of the cooling component 12, which may, for example, comprise ceramic, each individual energy storage cell 20 is preferably electrically insulated and can be connected to any other energy storage cell 20 arranged in the base body 10. In the present embodiment in Fig. 1, the base body 10 is made from a single rectangular block element and comprises receptacles 11 in the form of, in particular, round, blind bores, into which individual energy storage cells 20 are inserted. For this purpose, the blind bores are designed such that their diameter is preferably up to 5%, particularly preferably up to 2.5%, and particularly preferably up to 1% larger than a diameter of the energy storage cells 20, which have a round cross-section. It is also conceivable for the blind bores and the energy storage cells 20 to have a cross-section that deviates from a circle, wherein the cross-section of the blind bore is preferably complementary to the cross-section of the energy storage cell and correspondingly larger. In the illustrated embodiment, it is further provided that the receptacles 11 are distributed in mutually offset rows over the entire base body.It is also conceivable for the receptacles 11 to be arranged in concentric circles, in a checkerboard pattern, or in another geometric order. Even a random arrangement of the receptacles is conceivable. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the base body 10 to be realized by a casting or milling process.

[0024] On an underside of the energy storage device 1, i.e. a side of the energy storage device 1 which is opposite an opening in the blind bore, a cooling system 15 in the form of a channel system comprising a cooling fin 16 is provided for dissipating thermal energy. The cooling system 15 is intended to extend substantially over the entire adjacent side of the base body 10 or beyond. The cooling fin 16 forms part of a channel system whose individual channels run substantially parallel to one another and are connected to one another. In this case, it is preferably provided that a cooling liquid 17, with which the desired heat dissipation can be ensured, is conducted through the channel system during operation. The cooling component 12 of the base body 10 serves to dissipate heat generated by the individual energy storage cells 20 to the cooling system.

[0025] In order to further increase the efficiency of the desired heat dissipation, it is provided that a heat-conducting filler element 3, for example in the form of a paste or liquid, is filled into the receptacle 11 before the energy storage cells 20 are inserted. In particular, it is provided that the energy storage cells 20 are inserted into the receptacle 11, which is at least partially filled with the filler element 3, without a sleeve, i.e. without a shrink tube or varnish. During such insertion, the heat-conducting filler element 3 is evenly displaced by the energy storage cell 20 and is arranged between the energy storage cell 20 and the cooling component 12 or base body 10. The energy storage cell 20 is preferably placed in the receptacle 11 in such a way that an essentially homogeneous, i.e. constant, distribution of the filler element 3 is established between the energy storage cell 20 and the cooling component 12.Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the paste and / or liquid hardens independently and / or is cured by the supply of energy, for example, light or heat. In particular, it is provided that the hardened paste and / or the hardened liquid has an elasticity that allows movement within predetermined limits, in particular within the limits predetermined by an expected thermal expansion of the energy storage cell 20.

[0026] In Fig. 2 is a sectional view of an energy storage device 1 for a vehicle according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 1. It is preferably provided that the energy storage cell 20 arranged in the receptacle 11 protrudes from an opening in the blind bore. It is further preferably provided that the energy storage cells 20 are electrically contacted via a weld placed on the end of the energy storage cell protruding from the blind bore. In particular, the energy storage cell 20 comprises a welding tab 21 for this purpose, which is arranged on an end face of the energy storage cell 20 and / or on a side surface of the energy storage cell 20. Furthermore, it is provided that degassing openings of the energy storage cells 20 are arranged on the side facing away from the cooling system 15, which advantageously enables gas to escape when the energy storage cells are degassed.Furthermore, it is provided that the energy storage device 1, on the side of the base body 10 facing away from the cooling system 15, has a cell holder plate 13 for fixing the energy storage cells 20. It is provided that the cell holder plate 13 has one or more bores or recesses for degassing. Furthermore, it is provided that the cell holder plate 13 has a shoulder in the region of the bore, in particular on an inner side of the bore, to form a positive connection serving to fix the energy storage cell 20. In this case, the energy storage cell 20 rests against the shoulder in the assembled state. Furthermore, it is provided that the cell holder plate 13 has further recesses or bores through which fixing means 14, such as screws, extend in order to mount the cell holder plate 13 to the base body 10.Furthermore, a thermally insulating closure element 18, for example in the form of a plastic plate, is arranged on the cooling fin 16, on the side facing away from the base body 10. The closure element 18 is part of the channel system and is connected to the cooling fin 16 in a sealing manner. To reduce the weight of the energy storage device 1, it is further provided that areas in the base body 10 that are arranged between several, in particular three, energy storage cells 20 are recessed, thereby advantageously providing screw points for the cell holder plate 13 or a terminal plate.

[0027] In the Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of an energy storage device 1 for a vehicle according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The energy storage device 1 from Fig. 3 differs essentially from energy storage 1 from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 by the geometric shape of the base body 10. Instead of a block-shaped base body 10, the base body 10 is in the Fig. 3 is realized by several parallel cross struts. It is preferably provided that the cross struts are arranged in such a way that the energy storage cells 20 are kept at a distance from one another and thus the respective receptacles 11 for the energy storage cells are formed. Like the energy storage 1 from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the energy storage device 1 comprises a heat-conducting filling material 3 arranged between the base body 10 and the energy storage cells 20.

[0028] In the Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of an energy storage device 1 for a vehicle according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The energy storage device 1 from Fig. 4 differs essentially from energy storage 1 from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 by the geometric shape of the base body 10. Instead of a block-shaped base body 10, the base body 10 is in the Fig. 4 is realized by wave-shaped plates. The wave-shaped plates are preferably designed and arranged such that opposing valleys form the receptacle 11 for the energy storage cell. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the wave-shaped plates are matched to a curvature or the diameter of the energy storage cells.

Claims

[1] Energy storage device (1) for a vehicle, wherein the energy storage device (1) has a plurality of energy storage cells (20), wherein the energy storage device (1) comprises at least one electrically insulating and heat-conducting cooling component (12) to form a base body (10), wherein at least one of the plurality of energy storage cells (20) is embedded in a receptacle (11) defined by the base body (10) via an opening in the receptacle (11), wherein a heat-conducting filling element (3) is arranged at least partially in the receptacle (11) between the energy storage cell (20) and the cooling component (12), characterized by , that on a first side of the energy storage device (1), which is opposite the opening of the receptacle (11), a cooling system (15) is provided which extends over the entire adjacent side of the base body (10) or beyond, wherein the cooling system (15) is designed in the form of a channel system comprising cooling fins (16) with channels running parallel to one another and connected to one another, and wherein a thermally insulating closing element (18) is arranged on the cooling fins (16) on the side facing away from the base body (10), which is part of the channel system of the cooling system (15) and is correspondingly sealingly connected to the cooling fins (16), the energy storage device (1) has, on a side of the base body (10) facing away from the cooling system (15), a cell holder plate (13) by means of which the energy storage cells (20) are fixed, wherein the cell holder plate (13) has shoulders for forming a positive connection serving to fix the energy storage cells (20), and wherein the cell holder plate (13) has further recesses or bores through which fixing means (14) extend in order to mount the cell holder plate (13) on the base body (10), wherein the cell holder plate (13) has at least one bore for degassing the energy storage cells (20). [2] Energy storage device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the heat-conducting filling element (3) is a paste or a hardened liquid. [3] Energy storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling component (12) comprises ceramic or a thermally conductive plastic. [4] Method for producing an energy storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims for a vehicle, comprising the method steps - Providing the base body (10) consisting of the electrically insulating and thermally conductive cooling component (12) or several cooling components (12), wherein the cooling system (15) is provided on a first side of the base body (10), - filling a heat-conducting filling element (3) into a receptacle (11) defined by the base body (10), - inserting an energy storage cell (20) into the receptacle (11), - arranging and mounting the cell holder plate (13) on the side of the base body (10) facing away from the cooling system (15) in such a way that the energy storage cells (20) bear positively against the shoulders of the cell holder plate (13), and wherein the cell holder plate (13) is mounted on the base body (10) by the fixing means (14) which extend through the recesses or bores of the cell holder plate (13). [5] Method according to claim 4, wherein a paste and / or a liquid is filled into the receptacle (11) as the heat-conducting filling element (3), wherein the paste and / or liquid is preferably cured after the insertion of the energy storage cell (20).

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