Housings for battery systems

Abstract

Battery system (BS) comprising at least one battery device (BV) and at least one first housing element (G1) and at least one second housing element (G2), wherein the at least one first housing element (G1) and the at least one second housing element (G2) are suitable for receiving the at least one battery device (BV), and wherein the at least one first housing element (G1) has at least one first connecting element (V1) and the at least one second housing element (G2) has at least one second connecting element (V2), wherein the at least one first connecting element (V1) and the at least one second connecting element (V2) are suitable for forming a plug connection with each other, wherein the plug connection is a frictional connection, characterized in thatthat the at least one first connecting element (V1) is arranged in the form of a film on the at least one first housing element (G1) and / or the at least one second connecting element (V2) is arranged in the form of a film on the at least one second housing element (G2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery system and the use of a battery system according to the preamble of the independent claims. State of the art

[0002] Battery systems are known from the prior art, wherein the battery systems comprise a first housing element and a second housing element, the first and the second housing element being jointly suitable for receiving a battery device. Furthermore, devices are known from the prior art that enable the two housing elements to be mechanically connected. For example, JP 2011023268 A discloses a battery module, wherein the battery module comprises battery cells, the battery cells being arranged within two housing shells. The housing shells and the battery cells form a plug connection.

[0003] Furthermore, US 3258369 A discloses an accumulator housing in which parts of the accumulator housing can be mechanically connected.

[0004] Furthermore, GB 748719 A discloses a battery container, wherein the battery container has housing components that can be plugged into each other.

[0005] The state of the art also includes the publications DE 10 2012 221 778 A1, DE 10 2012 206 075 A1, DE 10 2012 218 188 A1. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to a battery system, in particular a lithium-ion battery system, wherein the battery system comprises at least one battery device and at least one first housing element and at least one second housing element. The at least one first housing element and the at least one second housing element are suitable for receiving the at least one battery device. Furthermore, the at least one first housing element has at least one first connecting element, and the at least one second housing element has at least one second connecting element. The at least one first connecting element and the at least one second connecting element are suitable for forming a plug connection with each other.

[0007] The plug connection is a frictional connection.

[0008] The fact that the connector is a friction-based connection enables a connection between the at least one first and at least one second housing element that is easy to establish. Furthermore, the friction-based connection provides a mechanical connection between the at least one first and at least one second housing element that exhibits high mechanical stability and is robust against mechanical stresses, such as those that might occur in an accident. Moreover, both the at least one first connector and the at least one second connector can be integrated into the at least one first and at least one second housing element, respectively.This eliminates the need for additional devices to connect the at least one first housing element to the at least one second housing element. This results in a lighter battery system. Furthermore, the fact that the connector is a friction-based connection allows for cost-effective implementation. Finally, the friction-based connection can also be implemented even if the at least one first housing element and the at least one second housing element are made of different materials.

[0009] A battery system is preferably a rechargeable, electrochemical energy storage device. In addition to at least one battery device, the battery system optionally includes devices for controlling the battery device, and preferably contact devices. The contact devices are particularly suitable for transferring electrical energy from the battery system to a consumer. The contact devices may be so-called terminals. The battery devices also have terminals for electrical contact, in particular for electrical contact with each other. The consumer may, in particular, be a motor vehicle.

[0010] The invention also includes the use of a battery system in a vehicle, in particular in a motor vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, a non-inventive method for increasing safety in the use of a battery system, in particular a lithium-ion battery system, is described, wherein at least one first connecting means of at least one first housing element and at least one second connecting means of at least one second housing element are plugged together, wherein the at least one first connecting means and the at least one second connecting means are plugged together in such a way that they form a frictional connection.

[0012] The invention aims to increase safety when handling a battery system and to ensure its operational readiness. Because the connector uses a frictional connection, a particularly effective connection is created between the housing elements of the battery system. This reduces both the likelihood of substances leaking from and entering the battery system. This reduction leads to increased safety when handling the battery system.

[0013] Furthermore, a static friction connection offers the advantage according to the invention that the connecting elements are connected to each other without play. Additionally, a static friction connection can be designed to save space.

[0014] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one first connecting element and / or the at least one second connecting element has a surface structure in the form of indentations and / or protrusions. Furthermore, the surface structure can be realized as a conical surface, as a ribbed structure, or as a rough surface with an irregular structure. The indentations or protrusions can be hemispherical. The indentations can, in particular, be designed to be expandable. The irregular structure can be formed by, in particular, deformable projections.

[0016] The fact that the at least one first connecting element and / or the at least one second connecting element has a surface structure in the form of indentations and protrusions further increases the static friction connection between the at least one first connecting element and the at least one second connecting element.

[0017] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one first connecting means has a different surface structure than the at least one second connecting means.

[0018] The fact that the at least one first connecting element has a different surface structure than the at least one second connecting element further increases the static friction between the at least one first connecting element and the at least one second connecting element.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one first connecting element has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the at least one second connecting element. The at least one first connecting element has a coefficient of thermal expansion of at least 6 × 10 -6 1 / K to 10·10 -6 1 / K and in particular of at least 8·10 -6 1 / K on.

[0020] For example, if the static friction connection is created by inserting the at least one first connecting element into the at least one second connecting element, the at least one first connecting element can be cooled down before being inserted into the at least one second connecting element. Due to subsequent heating after insertion, the at least one first connecting element expands differently than the at least one second connecting element, leading to an increase in the pressure with which the at least one first and at least one second connecting element are pressed together, and thus to an increase in the static friction between the two connecting elements.

[0021] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one first connecting means contains a different material than the at least one second connecting means.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one first connecting element and / or the at least one second connecting element comprise plastic, steel, or aluminum. In the case that the at least one first connecting element or the at least one second connecting element comprises plastic, a surface structure may have been produced by means of a tool or during a thermal forming process.

[0023] In the event that the at least one first fastener or the at least one second fastener contains steel or aluminium, a surface structure may have been created using a tool, for example a laser, sandpaper, sandblaster or milling tool.

[0024] According to the invention, the at least one first connecting means is arranged in the form of a film on the at least one first housing element and / or the at least one second connecting means is arranged in the form of a film on the at least one second housing element.

[0025] The fact that at least one connecting element is arranged in the form of a film on at least one first housing element and / or at least one second connecting element is arranged in the form of a film on at least one second housing element ensures, for example, a frictional connection without subjecting either the first or second housing element to significant mechanical stress. The fact that neither the first nor the second housing element is subjected to significant mechanical stress largely ensures the proper functioning of both housing elements. This is because significant mechanical stress on the two housing elements increases the likelihood of damage to them.Furthermore, the fact that the at least one first connecting element is arranged in the form of a film on the at least one first housing element and / or the at least one second connecting element is arranged in the form of a film on the at least one second housing element allows the two connecting elements to be replaced with minimal effort.

[0026] For each housing element, the edge area at the open end of the housing element can be referred to as the boundary surface. The boundary surface is the outward or inward-facing area of ​​the respective housing element and extends away from the edge of the housing element along its length.

[0027] The at least one first connecting means and / or the at least one second connecting means can be arranged on or formed from the perimeter surface of the at least one first housing element or the at least one second housing element.

[0028] The area of ​​the surrounding surface on which the at least one first connecting element or the at least one second connecting element is arranged, or from which the at least one first connecting element and / or the at least one second connecting element is formed, is referred to as the connecting area. The connecting area of ​​the at least one first housing element is referred to as the first connecting area, and the connecting area of ​​the at least one second housing element is referred to as the second connecting area. Each connecting area may be designed as a strip encircling the respective housing element.

[0029] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first connection area has a width of 1 cm to 3 cm and in particular of 2 cm and / or the second connection area has a width of 1 cm to 3 cm and in particular of 2 cm.

[0030] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a device for generating a force is arranged on the at least one connecting element and / or on the at least one second connecting element such that the device for generating a force is capable of generating pressure such that the at least one first connecting element and the at least one second connecting element are pressed together. The device for generating a force is, for example, a pressure screw, a spindle, a wedge, a clamp, a foaming material, in particular polyurethane foam, or an inflatable element.

[0031] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a sealing material is provided on at least one first connecting means and / or on at least one second connecting means.

[0032] The sealing material is, for example, rubber and / or polytetrafluoroethylene and / or nitrile rubber and / or ethylene propylene diene rubber and / or an adhesive sealant, such as a silicone-based adhesive sealant, an acrylic-based adhesive sealant and / or a butyl-based adhesive sealant.

[0033] The fact that a sealing material is applied to at least one first connecting element and / or at least one second connecting element further reduces the probability of substances escaping from the interior of the battery system and the probability of substances entering the interior of the battery system. This leads to increased safety when handling a battery system.

[0034] According to a further preferred embodiment, pressure is exerted on the at least one first connecting means and / or on the at least one second connecting means by means of a device for generating pressure, in particular a pressure screw or a spindle, such that the at least one first connecting means and the at least one second connecting means are pressed together.

[0035] According to a further preferred embodiment, the at least one first connecting element or the at least one second connecting element is cooled down to a temperature of -200°C to 0°C or heated to a temperature of 60°C to 150°C before the at least one first connecting element and the at least one second connecting element are joined together.

[0036] By cooling the at least one first connector or the at least one second connector to a temperature of -200°C to 0°C or heating it to a temperature of 60°C to 150°C before the at least one first connector and the at least one second connector are joined together, the fact is utilized that the at least one first connector or the at least one second connector contracts due to the cooling before being inserted into the at least one second connector or the at least one first connector, respectively, and expands again after joining. This subsequent expansion increases the pressure with which the at least one first connector and its at least one second connector are pressed together, thus increasing the static friction.

[0037] According to a further preferred embodiment, the at least one first connecting element is cooled down to a temperature of -200°C to 0°C and the at least one second connecting element is heated to a temperature of 60°C to 150°C before the at least one first connecting element and the at least one second connecting element are joined together.

[0038] By cooling the at least one first fastener to a temperature of -200°C to 0°C and heating the at least one second fastener to a temperature of 60°C to 150°C before the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener are joined, the at least one first fastener expands and the at least one second fastener contracts after joining. This expansion and contraction increases the pressure with which the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener are pressed together, thus increasing the static friction between them. Brief description of the characters

[0039] The invention is explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments, from which further inventive features may emerge, but to which the scope of the invention is not limited. These exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures.

[0040] It shows: Fig. 1 the schematic representation of a battery system according to the invention in a first embodiment; Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b the schematic representation of a battery system according to the invention in a second embodiment; Fig. 3 the schematic representation of a battery system according to the invention in a third embodiment; Fig. 4 the schematic representation of a method according to the invention.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a battery system according to a first embodiment of the invention. BS denotes the battery system. BV denotes at least one battery device. G1 denotes at least one first housing element and G2 denotes at least one second housing element. V1 denotes at least one first connecting element, wherein the at least one first connecting element V1 is a connecting element of the at least one first housing element G1. V2 denotes at least one second connecting element, wherein the at least one second connecting element V2 is a connecting element of the at least one second housing element G2. The at least one first connecting element V1 and the at least one second connecting element V2 are suitable for forming a plug connection, wherein the plug connection is a frictional connection. According to the Fig. In the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, the at least one first housing element G1 can be pushed into the at least one second housing element G2. The dimensions of the at least one first housing element G1 are smaller than the dimensions of the at least one second housing element G2. Pushing the at least one first housing element G1 into the at least one second housing element G2 results in a frictional connection between the at least one first connecting element V1 and the at least one second connecting element V2. According to the [reference to figure] in [reference to figure] Fig. In the embodiment shown in 1, the at least one first connecting element V1 is part of the at least one first housing element G1 and the at least one second connecting element V2 is part of the at least one second housing element G2.

[0042] PD denotes force vectors, where the force vectors indicate the direction of the force generated by the at least one first connecting element V1 pressing against the at least one second connecting element V2. PF denotes static friction force vectors. The force vectors PF point in the direction of the at least one second housing element G2 and ensure the connection between the at least one first housing element G1 and the at least one second housing element G2.

[0043] To separate the at least one first housing element G1 from the at least one second housing element G2, the static friction connection must be broken. This requires moving the at least one first housing element G1 and the at least one second housing element G2 away from each other. The magnitude of the force required to move the two housing elements away from each other must be greater than the magnitude of the force vectors PF.

[0044] In Fig. 2a shows a schematic representation of a battery system BS according to a second embodiment according to the invention. In contrast to the one in Fig. In the schematic embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first connecting elements V1 are designed as indentations and the second connecting elements V2 are designed as protrusions.

[0045] In Fig. Figure 2b shows the at least one first connecting element V1 and the at least one second connecting element V2 in a connected state. The at least one first connecting element V1 and the at least one second connecting element V2 form a plug connection, which is a frictional connection. To create this frictional connection, the at least one second connecting element V2 may, for example, have been cooled to a temperature of -200°C to 0°C before being connected. According to this embodiment, after the two connecting elements V1 and V2 are connected, the at least one second connecting element V2 then expands. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one first connecting element V1 may have been heated to a temperature of 60°C to 150°C, resulting in a thermal expansion of the at least one first connecting element V1.After the at least one first connecting element V1 is joined with the at least one second connecting element V2, the at least one first connecting element V1 cools down and contracts. This contraction creates a static friction connection between the at least one first connecting element V1 and the at least one second connecting element V2.

[0046] In Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows a battery system according to a third embodiment of the invention. In contrast to the one in Fig. In the schematic embodiment of the battery system BS shown in Figure 1, a device for generating a force is arranged on the at least one second connecting element V2. The device, designated V, can be a pressure screw or a spindle. The device V is capable of generating pressure such that the at least one first connecting element V1 and the at least one second connecting element V2 are pressed together. The fact that the at least one first connecting element V1 and the at least one second connecting element V2 are pressed together leads to an increase in static friction between the at least one first connecting element V1 and the at least one second connecting element V2.

[0047] In Fig.Figure 4 schematically depicts a process. The process is started with process initiation step 11. In temperature control step 22, the at least one first fastener V1 and / or the at least one second fastener V2 are heated or cooled. In the subsequent insertion step 33, the at least one first fastener V1 and the at least one second fastener V2 are inserted together. In the subsequent temperature change step 44, either the at least one first fastener V1 or the at least one second fastener V2 expands or contracts. The contraction or expansion leads to the formation of a static friction connection between the at least one first fastener V1 and the at least one second fastener V2, as the two fasteners V1 and V2 are pressed together. The process is terminated with process closure step 55.

Claims

[1] Battery system (BS) comprising at least one battery device (BV) and at least one first housing element (G1) and at least one second housing element (G2), wherein the at least one first housing element (G1) and the at least one second housing element (G2) are suitable for receiving the at least one battery device (BV) and wherein the at least one first housing element (G1) has at least one first connecting element (V1) and the at least one second housing element (G2) has at least one second connecting element (V2), wherein the at least one first connecting element (V1) and the at least one second connecting element (V2) are suitable for forming a plug connection with each other, wherein the plug connection is a frictional connection, characterized by, that the at least one first connecting element (V1) is arranged in the form of a film on the at least one first housing element (G1) and / or the at least one second connecting element (V2) is arranged in the form of a film on the at least one second housing element (G2). [2] Battery system (BS) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the at least one first connecting element (V1) and / or the at least one second connecting element (V2) has a surface structure in the form of indentations and / or protrusions. [3] Battery system (BS) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the at least one first connecting element (V1) has a different surface structure than the at least one second connecting element (V2). [4] Battery system (BS) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the at least one first connecting element (V1) has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the at least one second connecting element (V2). [5] Battery system (BS) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one first connecting element (V1) contains a different material than the at least one second connecting element (V2). [6] Battery system (BS) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one first fastener (V1) and / or the at least one second fastener (V2) contains plastic, steel or aluminium. [7] Battery system (BS) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a first connection area on which the at least one first connecting element (V1) is arranged or from which the at least one first connecting element (V1) is formed has a width of 1 cm to 3 cm and / or a second connection area on which the at least one second connecting element (V2) is arranged or from which the at least one second connecting element (V2) is formed has a width of 1 cm to 3 cm. [8] Battery system (BS) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a device (V) for generating a force is arranged on the at least one first connecting element (V1) and / or on the at least one second connecting element (V2), wherein the device (V) is suitable for generating a pressure such that the at least one first connecting element (V1) and the at least one second connecting element (V2) are pressed together. [9] Battery system (BS) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a sealing material is arranged on the at least one first connecting element (V1) and / or on the at least one second connecting element (V2). [10] Use of a battery system (BS) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in a vehicle.

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