Traction battery for an electrically powered vehicle and vehicle with such a traction battery

Abstract

Traction battery (10) for an electrically powered vehicle, characterized by the following features: - the traction battery (10) has a module area (11) and an electronics area (12) spatially separated from the module area (11), - the traction battery (10) comprises an inlet channel (13) for supplying a coolant, a support wall (18) spatially separating the module area (11) from the electronics area (12), and an outlet channel (15) integrated into the support wall (18) for discharging the coolant, which is fluidically connected on one side to the module area (11) and on the other side to the electronics area (12) and contains a throttle disc (16), namely a plate with defined bores, for throttling the discharged coolant, - the inlet channel (13) branches symmetrically on the one hand into the module area (11) and on the other hand into the electronics area (12) and - the electronics area (12) comprises a fluid-dense and thermally conductive cooling plate (17) arranged between the inlet channel (13) and the outlet channel (15).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a traction battery for an electrically powered vehicle. The present invention further relates to a vehicle with such a battery. State of the art

[0002] The traction battery of an electric vehicle, typically a high-voltage battery, is a well-known type. Such a traction battery can be composed of several modules, each containing multiple cells. The battery modules can be cooled by a cooling system with inlet and outlet channels in the battery housing.

[0003] US 2008 / 0157721A1 discloses the subject matter of the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] DE 10 2011 051 624 A1 describes a cooling system for use in a motor vehicle.

[0005] In DE 44 08 961 C1 a method for temperature control of a battery during the charging process at a charging station is described.

[0006] In JP 2002 - 353 656 A a waterproof housing for cooling two electronic controllers is described.

[0007] US patent 2010 / 0104927A1 describes a battery assembly with multiple battery cells arranged in a housing and surrounded by coolant. Battery electronics are also integrated into the housing and are likewise surrounded by coolant.

[0008] US 2015 / 0 175 030 A1 describes a vehicle structure for accommodating a battery, in which the power electronics are already integrated into the vehicle structure.

[0009] WO 2012 / 107 446 A1 describes a cover for pole-side mounting on several adjacent battery cells, which contains a cooling channel and electrical bridges for connecting the individual battery cells. Disclosure of the invention

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of cooling the electronics area of ​​a generic traction battery in a particularly effective and fully integrated manner.

[0011] The invention provides a traction battery for an electrically powered vehicle and a vehicle equipped with a traction battery according to the independent claims.

[0012] One advantage of this solution is that the electronics of the HV battery are cooled along with the cooling of the battery modules.

[0013] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. For example, the traction battery can include an outlet channel for discharging the coolant, which is fluidically connected to the module area on one side and to the electronics area on the other. Spatially separated from the module area of ​​the battery system, this electronics area nevertheless receives its cooling medium through the same cooling connection areas.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the traction battery has a suitable housing contour to direct the coolant supplied through the inlet channel around the electronics area to the outlet channel. This achieves counterflow cooling.

[0015] Preferably, the outlet channel includes a throttle disc, in particular a plate with defined bores, for throttling the discharged coolant. The flow rate can be regulated by such a throttle disc in the outlet channel.

[0016] According to one variant, the electronics section includes a cooling plate positioned between the inlet and outlet channels, which is fluid-tight and thermally conductive. With its additional cooling plate, the electronics also serve to separate the flow paths defined by the inlet and outlet, thus supporting the aforementioned counterflow cooling.

[0017] The traction battery can further include a support wall located between the module area and the electronics area, into which the exhaust channel is integrated. This results in fully integrated electronics cooling.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, the supporting wall contains epoxy resin or glass fiber, preferably combined in a composite material. Such a choice of material significantly enhances the load-bearing function of the wall. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the flow paths according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the battery housing. Fig. Figure 3 shows the perspective view of a corresponding support wall. Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a throttle disc. Embodiments of the invention

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the flow paths of the coolant through the traction battery 10 of an electrically powered vehicle as provided for in the invention. The traction battery 10 has a module area 11, which is only indicated in the drawing, and an electronics area 12 that is spatially separated from the module area 11. As shown in the detailed view according to Figure 1, the flow paths of the coolant through the traction battery 10 are shown in the drawing. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, an inlet channel 13 designed as a non-load-bearing molded part is integrated into the traction battery 10 on the housing side, which branches symmetrically on the one hand into the module area 11 and on the other hand into the electronics area 12.

[0021] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates, using a perspective view, the support wall 18 of the electronics, made of glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin, which spatially separates the module area 11 from the electronics area 12. An outlet channel 15, also designed as a non-load-bearing molded part, is integrated into this support wall 18. This outlet channel 15 is fluidically connected to both the module area 11 and the electronics area 12. The outlet channel 15, in turn, contains a throttle plate 16 with defined bores for throttling the discharged coolant. Fig. Figure 4 shows this throttle disc 16 in detail.

[0022] In the lower right area of ​​the Fig.The traction battery 10 has a suitable housing contour 14 to direct the coolant supplied through the inlet channel 13 around the electronics area 12 to the outlet channel 15. After being deflected, the coolant passes behind a cooling plate 17 located between the inlet channel 13 and the outlet channel 15 in the electronics area 12. This cooling plate is fluid-tight but thermally conductive, so that the electronics are cooled from both sides according to the counterflow principle.

Claims

[1] Traction battery (10) for an electrically powered vehicle, characterized by the following characteristics: - the traction battery (10) has a module area (11) and an electronics area (12) spatially separated from the module area (11), - the traction battery (10) comprises an inlet channel (13) for supplying a coolant, a support wall (18) spatially separating the module area (11) from the electronics area (12), and an outlet channel (15) integrated into the support wall (18) for discharging the coolant, which is fluidically connected on one side to the module area (11) and on the other side to the electronics area (12) and contains a throttle disc (16), namely a plate with defined bores, for throttling the discharged coolant, - the inlet channel (13) branches symmetrically on the one hand into the module area (11) and on the other hand into the electronics area (12) and - the electronics area (12) comprises a fluid-dense and thermally conductive cooling plate (17) arranged between the inlet channel (13) and the outlet channel (15). [2] Traction battery (10) according to claim 1, characterized by the following characteristic: - the traction battery (10) has a suitable housing contour (14) to direct the coolant supplied through the inlet channel (13) around the electronics area (12) to the outlet channel (15). [3] Traction battery (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one of the following characteristics: - the supporting wall (18) contains an epoxy resin or - the supporting wall (18) contains a glass fiber. [4] Traction battery (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by at least one of the following characteristics: - the inlet channel (13) is a non-load-bearing molded part or - the outlet channel (15) is a non-load-bearing molded part. [5] Traction battery (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the following characteristic: - the inlet channel (13) is integrated into the traction battery (10) on the housing side. [6] vehicle, characterized by the following characteristics: - the vehicle includes a traction battery (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5 for operating the vehicle.

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