Traction battery with multiple battery cell packs and use of the traction battery in a vehicle

Abstract

Traction battery (15) with at least two battery cell packs (1), each consisting of at least two battery cells (2) which are electrically interconnected, wherein the battery cell packs (1) each have a positive terminal (7) and a negative terminal (8), wherein terminals of different polarity represent high-voltage connection points between the battery cell packs (1), wherein at least one terminal (7) of the electrical terminals (7, 8) of one of the battery cell packs (1) is configured such that this terminal (7) has at least two contact points (9, 10, 11, 12) for electrical connection with the other battery cell pack, wherein the contact points (9, 10, 11, 12) differ in their position relative to their respective battery cell packs (1), wherein the two battery cell packs (1) are electrically connected to each other in the region of two battery cells (2) by means of a contact head (4), characterized in thatthat the two battery cell packs (1) have further contact heads (5, 6) in the area of ​​the ends facing away from the contact head (4), which are led out of the respective battery cell pack (1) from the battery cell (2) of the respective battery cell pack (1) assigned to this contact head (5, 6) and are connected to poles, and that the contact points of both the positive pole (7) and the negative pole (8) are realized by an identically designed contacting component (13), wherein this contacting component (13) is H-shaped, with two upwardly directed and arranged electrical contact points (9, 10) and two downwardly directed and arranged electrical contact points (11, 12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a traction battery with at least two battery cell packs, each consisting of at least two battery cells which are electrically interconnected, wherein the battery cell packs each have a positive pole and a negative pole, wherein poles of different polarity represent high-voltage connection points between the battery cell packs.

[0002] According to the state of the art, a vehicle's traction battery consists of battery cells that are geometrically grouped into battery cell packs and initially electrically interconnected within the battery cell pack. This interconnection can be electrically series-connected, at least in part. Two or more adjacent battery cells are often also connected in parallel. The battery cell packs are electrically interconnected with other battery cell packs, usually using a series connection. A battery cell pack has a positive pole and a negative pole. According to the state of the art, the positive pole and the negative pole each have exactly one designated contact option in the form of an electrical screw connection, an electrical plug connection, or an electrical weld connection.

[0003] Particularly when multiple battery cell packs are arranged in a common battery module housing, and multiple battery cell packs are arranged one above the other and / or one behind the other, accessibility to the high-voltage connection points cannot be ensured with a uniform location of an electrical connection point. For example, if an electrical connection to a battery cell pack must be established below and another electrical connection to a battery cell pack above, this connection point would have to be located at the top and at the bottom to ensure good accessibility to the electrical connection, in particular the electrical screw point. However, different electrical connection options would result in individually different battery cell packs, with corresponding difficulties in terms of allocation, logistics, and costs.Costs, especially given that it is not possible to produce identical parts.

[0004] A traction battery having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 is known from EP 2 654 099 A1. This describes a battery unit, also for use in a vehicle, which consists of at least two battery modules and a plurality of battery cells in a housing. The battery modules have a positive pole and a negative pole for interconnection with other battery modules. At least one pole has two contact points for the electrical connection with another battery module. The contact points are located on two sides of the battery module, specifically in adjacent areas of these two sides.

[0005] US 2010 / 0196752 A1 discloses a battery unit consisting of battery modules with multiple batteries in a single housing. The battery modules have two contact points for positive poles and two contact points for negative poles. The contact points are located on two opposite sides of the housing.

[0006] DE 10 2009 057 368 A1 describes a traction battery for use in an electrically or hybrid-powered vehicle. The traction battery comprises several energy storage units with a housing and two groups of knob-shaped electrical terminals mounted on two housing surfaces, and two groups of terminals with cylindrical recesses mounted on the respective opposite housing surfaces of the groups for conductive connection in parallel and in series with adjacent energy storage units.

[0007] US 2012 / 0 058 382 A1 and CN 206 210 908 U each describe modular battery cell packs. Each battery cell pack has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. Each terminal has exactly one contact point.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to further develop a traction battery of the type mentioned above in such a way that the battery cell packs can be designed essentially as identical parts, while also ensuring optimal accessibility to the high-voltage connection. Furthermore, the stacking and electrical interconnection of battery cell packs arranged one behind the other or, in particular, one above the other should be possible with reduced installation space. The object of the invention is further to provide an advantageous use of such a traction battery.

[0009] The object is achieved by a traction battery having the features of patent claim 1 and by a use according to the features of patent claim 10.

[0010] In the traction battery according to the invention, it is provided that at least one pole of the electrical poles of one of the battery cell packs is designed such that this pole has at least two contact points for the electrical connection with the other battery cell pack, wherein the contact points differ in their position with respect to their battery cell packs.

[0011] This simultaneously provides multiple electrical connection options for battery cell packs using identical parts. This allows the battery cell packs to be designed as identical parts. At the same time, simple electrical wiring is possible without requiring additional space and without difficulty accessing the electrical connection point. This is especially true when screwable electrical wiring is provided. This allows easy access to the electrical screw connection point.

[0012] It is considered particularly advantageous if, despite multiple electrical contacting options, only one contacting option of the pole is electrically contacted and connected at a time due to the at least two contacting points assigned to the relevant poles. The at least one additional electrical contacting option of this pole enables contacting and connection to be performed at a different location. Preferably, the relevant pole has more than two contacting points, in particular four contacting points.

[0013] A different position of the contact points of the relevant pole of the battery cell pack also means a different arrangement of the contact points.

[0014] Preferably, the positive pole and / or the negative pole of at least one battery cell pack provide at least two electrical contact points that are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Alternatively or cumulatively, it is preferably provided that a positive pole and / or a negative pole of at least one battery cell pack provide at least electrical contact points that are offset from one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Alternatively or cumulatively, it is preferably provided that a positive pole and / or a negative pole of at least one battery cell pack provide at least two electrical contact points that are offset from one another in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0015] Preferably, several battery cell packs are arranged one above the other, thus arranged vertically in the vehicle, and electrically interconnected. Alternatively or cumulatively, several battery cell packs are arranged side by side, thus in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and electrically interconnected. Alternatively or cumulatively, several battery cell packs are arranged one behind the other, thus in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and electrically interconnected.

[0016] The described arrangements of the at least two electrical contact points and / or the plurality of battery cell packs enable great flexibility with regard to the connection of the battery cell packs of the traction battery.

[0017] As a rule, significantly more than two battery cell packs are provided for the traction battery, preferably ten to twenty battery cell packs.

[0018] According to a particularly preferred development of the invention, it is provided that a positive pole and / or a negative pole of a battery cell pack has two upwardly directed and arranged electrical contact points, which are arranged offset from one another, as well as two downwardly directed and arranged electrical contact points, which are arranged offset from one another. In a preferred specific arrangement of the traction battery in the vehicle, these upwardly directed and arranged electrical contact points are arranged offset from one another in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and the two downwardly directed and arranged electrical contact points are arranged offset from one another in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0019] Preferably, the electrical contact in the area of ​​the respective contact point is made by means of a screw connection. In particular, the electrical screw connection of a lower contact point with a power connection down to a battery cell pack located below can be screwed from above, without the need for a screwdriver to penetrate down to the screw point by using long screws.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, several battery cell packs are arranged in a common battery module housing. Preferably, two or four battery cell packs are arranged in a common battery module housing.

[0021] In principle, the electrical contact point of the positive and / or negative terminals of a battery cell pack allows for electrical contact by welding, screwing, or plugging. Preferably, the contact is made by screwing.

[0022] The traction battery according to the invention, taking into account the described developments, enables a common parts strategy for battery cell packs and, consequently, also for battery modules. This common parts strategy enables a reduction in control effort in logistics and a reduction in costs. Furthermore, better accessibility to the high-voltage connection is possible. Finally, it enables the stacking and electrical interconnection of battery cell packs arranged one behind the other or, in particular, one above the other, with reduced installation space. This also applies, consequently, to battery modules.

[0023] Further features of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the attached drawings and the description of the embodiments shown in the drawings, without being limited to these.

[0024] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of two battery cell packs arranged side by side and electrically interconnected, illustrated in a spatial representation, Fig. 2 a side view of one of the Fig. 1 shown battery cell packs, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a right half of a traction battery with various battery cell packs, illustrated in a spatial view, Fig. 4 the order pursuant to Fig. 3 in a frontal view. Figure description

[0025] In Fig. 1 shows two battery cell packs 1 arranged next to one another and electrically interconnected. Each battery cell pack 1 has a plurality of battery cells 2 arranged next to one another. The battery cells 2 of each battery cell pack 1 are electrically interconnected. This electrical interconnection within the battery cell pack 1 is designed as a 2p interconnection, with two battery cells being installed in parallel. The electrical interconnection within each battery cell pack 1 is provided with the reference number 3. A contact head piece 4 electrically connects the two battery cell packs 1 in the region of two battery cells 2 of the battery cell packs 1. In the region of the ends of the two battery cell packs 1 facing away from the contact head piece 4, further head contact pieces 5, 6 from the respective battery cell pack 1 are connected to this contact head piece 5 or6 assigned battery cell 2 of the respective battery cell pack 1 and connected to poles. The contact head piece 5 of one battery cell pack 1 is connected to the positive pole 7, the contact head piece 6 of the other battery cell pack 1 is connected to the negative pole 8 of the arrangement of the two battery cell packs 1. The positive pole 7 represents a high-voltage connection point between the battery cell pack 1 having this positive pole 7 and another battery cell pack arranged adjacent to this positive pole 7, which in . Fig. 1 is not shown. The same applies to the negative pole 8. This represents the high-voltage connection point between the battery cell pack 1 having this negative pole 8 and another battery cell pack (not shown) arranged adjacent to the negative pole 8.

[0026] Both the positive pole 7 and the negative pole 8 are designed in such a way that the respective pole has four contact points 9, 10, 11, 12, whereby the contact points 11 and 12 of the negative pole 8 are in the Fig. 1 are not illustrated because this area is not visible due to the view.

[0027] The contact points 9 to 12 of both the positive pole 7 and the negative pole 8 are each implemented in an identically designed contacting component 13. This is H-shaped, with two upwardly directed and top-arranged electrical contact points 9, 10, which in the specific embodiment are offset from one another in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and with two downwardly directed and bottom-arranged electrical contact points 11, 12, which in the specific embodiment are also offset from one another in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. An electrical contact is connected, in particular screwed, to the H-shaped positive pole 7 in the area of ​​the contact point 12. This contact is made by an additional element 14, which is designed as a double, oppositely angled contact piece.By means of this additional element 14, the battery cell pack 1 having the positive pole 7 is electrically interconnected or connected to the battery cell pack (not shown) assigned to it in the region of the corresponding pole of this battery cell pack. The negative pole 8 is interconnected in the same way as the interconnection in the region of the contact point 12 via the additional element 14, with the connection being made in the region of a contact point 9 to 12 of this negative pole 8, depending on the spatial conditions.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows the two battery cell packs 1, arranged in the specific embodiment on a left side of the vehicle, in a view from the front above. Fig. 2 shows the battery cell pack 1 arranged on the left side of the vehicle in a front view.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows, with reference to the specific embodiment, a right half of a traction battery 15 with a plurality of battery cell packs 1, specifically ten battery cell packs, wherein four battery cell packs are arranged next to one another, each at a short distance from one another. A plastic partition 19 is arranged between each two battery cell packs 1 arranged in this way. Four further battery cell packs 1 are arranged on these battery cell packs 1 positioned at the bottom, and two further battery cell packs 1 are arranged on the inner battery cell packs 1 of the middle layer of the traction battery 15. On the side facing the center of the vehicle, the battery cell packs 1, which according to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the positive poles 7 and negative poles 8, with their respective contact points 9 to 12, are shown. Also shown are the positive poles 7 and negative poles 8, thus contact points 9 to 12, of the otherwise not further illustrated left half of the traction battery. The battery cell packs of this left half of the traction battery 15 are arranged correspondingly to the battery cell packs 1 of the right half of the traction battery 15.

[0030] The formation of each positive pole 7 and each negative pole 8 with four contact points 9 to 12 each, wherein only one of the contact points of the respective pole is electrically connected, allows the electrical connection to be made at a suitable point of the positive pole 7 and the negative pole 8, thus in the area of ​​a suitable contact point 9 or 10 or 11 or 12, in particular by means of a screw connection between adjacent battery cell packs 1 of the right half of the traction battery 5 and also the battery cell packs 1 of the right half of the traction battery with battery cell packs of the left half of the traction battery.

[0031] Fig.3 shows, in conjunction with the front view of the positive poles 7 and negative poles 8 of the battery cell packs 1 of the right half of the traction battery 15, an example of the electrical contacting and interconnection of the battery cell packs 1 to illustrate the use of a wide variety of contact points 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 of a positive pole 7 or a negative pole 8 of a battery cell pack 1. With regard to the plurality of screwed electrical contacts, two screwed electrical contacts 16 are shown. The additional elements 14 are essentially designed as plate-shaped copper elements which represent the connection between the respective positive pole 7 of one battery cell pack and the negative pole 8 of the other battery cell pack assigned to it.By using long screws 17, the electrical screw connection of a contact point located below with a power connection downwards to a battery cell pack 1 arranged below can be screwed from above without the screwdriver having to penetrate downwards to the screw point.

[0032] Reference number 18 designates a battery control unit.

Claims

[1] Traction battery (15) with at least two battery cell packs (1), each consisting of at least two battery cells (2) which are electrically interconnected, wherein the battery cell packs (1) each have a positive pole (7) and a negative pole (8), wherein poles of different polarity represent high-voltage connection points between the battery cell packs (1), wherein at least one pole (7) of the electrical poles (7, 8) of one of the battery cell packs (1) is designed such that this pole (7) has at least two contact points (9, 10, 11, 12) for the electrical connection to the other battery cell pack, wherein the contact points (9, 10, 11, 12) differ in their position with respect to their battery cell pack (1), wherein the two battery cell packs (1) are electrically connected to one another in the region of two battery cells (2) by means of a contact head piece (4), characterized byin that the two battery cell packs (1) have, in the region of the ends facing away from the contact head piece (4), further contact head pieces (5, 6) which are led out of the respective battery cell pack (1) from the battery cell (2) of the respective battery cell pack (1) assigned to this contact head piece (5, 6) and are connected to poles, and the contacting points of both the positive pole (7) and the negative pole (8) are realized by an identically designed contacting component (13), this contacting component (13) being H-shaped, with two upwardly directed and upwardly arranged electrical contacting points (9, 10) and two downwardly directed and downwardly arranged electrical contacting points (11, 12). [2] Traction battery according to claim 1, characterized by that of the contact points (9, 10, 11, 12) of the respective pole (7) only one contact point (12) is electrically connected. [3] Traction battery according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that several battery cell packs (1) are arranged one above the other and electrically interconnected. [4] Traction battery according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that several battery cell packs (1) are arranged next to one another and electrically interconnected. [5] Traction battery according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that several battery cell packs (1) are arranged one behind the other and electrically interconnected. [6] Traction battery according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the positive pole (7) and / or the negative pole (8) of a battery cell pack (1) has two upwardly directed and top-arranged electrical contact points (9, 10), which are arranged offset from one another, and two downwardly directed and bottom-arranged electrical contact points (11, 12), which are arranged offset from one another. [7] Traction battery according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the electrical contact in the area of the respective contact point (9, 10, 11, 12) is made by means of a screw connection. [8] Traction battery according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that several battery cell packs (1) are arranged in a common battery module housing. [9] Traction battery according to claim 8, characterized by that two or four battery cell packs (1) are arranged in the battery module housing. [10] Use of a traction battery (15) having the features according to one of claims 1 to 9 in a vehicle. [11] Use of the traction battery (15) according to claim 10, wherein the positive pole (7) and / or the negative pole (8) of a battery cell pack (1) has at least two electrical contact points (9, 10, 11, 12) which are arranged offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. [12] Use of the traction battery (15) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the positive pole (7) and / or the negative pole (8) of a battery cell pack (1) has at least two electrical contact points (9, 10, 11, 12) which are arranged offset from one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle. [13] Use of the traction battery (15) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the positive pole (7) and / or the negative pole (8) of a battery cell pack (1) has at least two electrical contact points (9, 10, 11, 12) which are arranged offset from one another in the vertical direction of the vehicle. [14] Use of the traction battery (15) according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the upwardly directed and top-arranged electrical contact points (9, 10) are arranged offset from one another in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the downwardly directed and bottom-arranged electrical contact points (11, 12) are arranged offset from one another in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

Images