Battery arrangement

Abstract

Battery arrangement (1) comprising a first battery unit (2) and a second battery unit (3) stacked in a stacking direction (4) above the first battery unit (2), wherein a positioning element (5) extending in the stacking direction (4) from the first battery unit (2) to the second battery unit (3) is provided for positioning the second battery unit (3) relative to the first battery unit (2), characterized in that the positioning element (5) is displaceable in a plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction (4).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery assembly, for example a vehicle battery assembly. State of the art

[0002] In the field of battery assemblies, for example vehicle batteries, it is known to assemble these from multiple battery units, whereby the individual battery units can in turn have a plurality of battery cells. Thus, the battery units having multiple battery cells form high-voltage units. These battery units are generally stacked one on top of the other in a battery housing in one stacking direction. In order to electrically interconnect or contact the individual stacked battery units with one another during assembly of the battery assembly, flexible, electrically conductive connecting elements, usually in the form of cables, are currently threaded through openings in the individual battery units or through openings in a battery housing of the battery assembly during assembly.Since these cables do not have a predetermined position and can change their orientation more or less unpredictably, this represents a safety risk both for the battery assembly and, in particular, for a person assembling the battery assembly. This is all the more true since the battery housing or the component containing the opening of the battery unit, for example a base of the battery unit, are usually constructed from a conductive metallic material.

[0003] Alternatively, a screw connection can be provided on the busbar at the bottom of two stacked battery units. The busbar of the upper battery unit would then have to be threaded through an opening near the screw connection, which could cause short circuits during assembly and require more space.

[0004] For the assembly of conventional battery assemblies, additional effort is required to protect the components of the battery assembly, as well as to protect the persons and technical equipment involved in the assembly of the battery assembly, which is reflected in an increased assembly time and in additional devices to improve functional reliability and occupational safety.

[0005] Typically, battery units within a battery assembly are connected to each other using a tongue and groove system, for example. Such connections allow, for example, either batteries to be stacked in a row (see DE102018111662A1) or two-dimensional arrays of battery units to be created, as shown in US20100178547A1. However, such connections have the disadvantage of not being flexible enough to accommodate the installation of battery units of different sizes.

[0006] Furthermore, systems are known in which a rack is used to position battery units within a given overall system (see US20020192543A1 and US20170214014A1). However, these rack systems have the disadvantage that the size of the battery arrangement is determined by the rack, not by the number and size of the battery units used.

[0007] Battery cassettes are also known in which the battery units are positioned and held by spring contacts (see DE2551663A1). However, here too, the size of the battery arrangement is determined by the size of the battery cassette. Furthermore, a spring-loaded and thus flexible mounting of the battery units has proven to be disadvantageous. Description of the invention

[0008] Based on the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved battery arrangement.

[0009] The object is achieved by a battery arrangement having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the description and the attached figures.

[0010] Accordingly, a battery assembly is proposed, comprising a first battery unit and a second battery unit stacked above the first battery unit in a stacking direction, wherein a positioning element extending in the stacking direction from the first battery unit to the second battery unit is provided for positioning the second battery unit relative to the first battery unit. According to the invention, the positioning element is displaceable in a plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction.

[0011] Because a positioning element extending in the stacking direction from the first battery unit toward the second battery unit is displaceable in a plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction for positioning the second battery unit relative to the first battery unit, it is possible to pre-position or position the second battery unit relative to the first battery unit during assembly using the positioning element. Due to this displaceability, the risk of the second battery unit becoming jammed during assembly of the battery units, for example, between the positioning element and an external housing of the battery arrangement, can be significantly reduced or even completely avoided.In other words, the positioning element can adapt to the second battery unit within certain predetermined limits due to its displaceability in the plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction.

[0012] For example, manufacturing inaccuracies in the first battery unit and the second battery unit can be compensated for using the movable positioning element. Similarly, the tolerance requirements for the first battery unit and the second battery unit for assembling the battery assembly are reduced compared to conventional battery assemblies.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the positioning element extends from the first battery unit through a positioning opening in a base element of the second battery unit toward the second battery unit. This allows for simple and secure positioning of the second battery unit relative to the first battery unit.

[0014] According to a further preferred embodiment, the positioning element is fastened to an adapter plate extending in the plane perpendicular to the stacking direction, wherein the adapter plate is arranged to be movable in the plane perpendicular to the stacking direction. By providing the adapter plate designed in this way, the structure of the battery arrangement can be particularly simple. Furthermore, the design freedom with regard to the design of the connection between the first battery unit and the positioning element is increased, since the adapter plate allows for simple utilization of the installation space available in the first battery unit.

[0015] If the adapter plate is designed to absorb forces in the stacking direction, it can be achieved that, when the first battery unit and the second battery unit are assembled, the positioning element is not displaced in the stacking direction as a result of pressure applied to the positioning element in the stacking direction, thus making positioning more difficult. Furthermore, the adapter plate can absorb any assembly forces between the first battery unit and the second battery unit and thus at least contribute to, or even completely assume, the secure holding of the second battery unit to the first battery unit.

[0016] Advantageously, the adapter plate is connected to the first battery unit via at least one connecting rail, wherein the at least one connecting rail is designed to be rigid in the stacking direction and flexible perpendicular to the stacking direction. This makes it easy to provide the adapter plate's ability to be displaced perpendicular to the stacking direction.

[0017] In order to ensure that the at least one connecting rail can absorb forces in the stacking direction without bending significantly, and to ensure simple or smooth displacement of the adapter plate perpendicular to the stacking direction, the at least one connecting rail can have a greater area moment of inertia in the stacking direction than perpendicular to the stacking direction, wherein preferably the at least one connecting rail has a cross-section whose length in the stacking direction is greater than its width perpendicular to the stacking direction, and the connecting rail has at least one curvature around a curvature axis substantially parallel to the stacking direction along its longitudinal extent.

[0018] To achieve a particularly simple design of the battery assembly with a particularly small number of required parts, the connecting rail can be designed as a busbar for electrically contacting the first battery unit and the adapter plate and / or a contacting element of the adapter plate. This allows the connecting rail, and thus optionally also the adapter plate, to be further used for electrically contacting at least the second battery unit. For this purpose, the adapter plate preferably comprises an electrically conductive material.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment, the positioning element comprises a contacting element having a first contact surface at a first end for electrically contacting the first battery unit and a second contact surface at a second end for electrically contacting the second battery unit, wherein the contacting element is surrounded by an electrically insulating material between the first contact surface and the second contact surface. As a result, the positioning element can, in addition to the positioning function, also provide the function of providing electrical contact between the first battery unit and the second battery unit, without the need for additional components.Furthermore, this essentially eliminates the need for additional protective devices or additional effort to protect the components of the battery assembly or the personnel and technical equipment involved in assembling the battery assembly, since the second contact surface is always in a fixed position relative to the first contact surface, and the electrically insulating material of the positioning element prevents accidental short circuits from occurring during mating. Furthermore, the electrically insulating material provides protection against accidental contact.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment, the positioning element has an outer cross-sectional profile perpendicular to the stacking direction, the shape of which is designed such that, in addition to guiding the second battery unit in the stacking direction, a positioning of the second battery unit relative to the first battery unit is provided, preferably an angular positioning relative to an angle enclosed by the projections of a longitudinal extent of the first battery unit and a longitudinal extent of the second battery unit onto the plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction. This can ensure that the second battery unit is always oriented in a correct spatial position relative to the first battery unit, or the possibility of incorrect positioning of the second battery unit relative to the first battery unit can be eliminated.

[0021] In order to be able to provide a desired distance between the first battery unit and the second battery unit via the positioning element, the positioning element can have a shoulder for providing a predetermined distance between the first battery unit and the second battery unit, designed such that the second battery unit, preferably a base element of the second battery unit, rests on the shoulder.

[0022] In order to facilitate the insertion of the device into an opening of the second battery unit during assembly of the second battery unit and the first battery unit, the positioning element can have an insertion section extending from the second end in the direction of the first battery unit at an end facing the second battery unit, wherein the insertion section preferably tapers in the direction of the end facing the second battery unit, wherein the insertion section is preferably at least partially frustoconical and / or frustopyramidal and / or has at least one phase.

[0023] The adapter plate is preferably designed such that the adapter plate rests against the first battery unit in the stacking direction with a side facing the first battery unit, preferably against an electrically insulating section of the first battery unit. This easily ensures that forces in the stacking direction are absorbed by the adapter plate and transferred to the first battery unit. Furthermore, it is also ensured that the positioning element is not displaced in the stacking direction during assembly.

[0024] According to a further preferred embodiment, the positioning element is arranged to be displaceable at least in a first direction at least within a predetermined range in the plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction, wherein the positioning element is arranged to be displaceable in the plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction, preferably in the first direction and in a second direction extending orthogonally to the first direction, each at least within a predetermined range, and / or the positioning element is arranged to be pivotable about the stacking direction at least within a predetermined angular range. This makes it possible for the positioning element and / or the adapter plate to be repositioned in such a way that jamming of the second battery unit on the positioning element and / or a housing of the battery arrangement is prevented.This also allows for smaller manufacturing tolerances than with conventional battery arrangements for assembly or plugging together of the battery arrangement.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment, a plurality of positioning elements is provided, with at least two positioning elements being arranged on a common adapter plate. This further improves the positioning of the second battery unit relative to the first battery unit.

[0026] The first battery unit and the second battery unit are preferably accommodated in a common battery housing so that a compact battery arrangement can be formed.

[0027] Alternatively, the first battery unit and the second battery unit can also be housed in separate battery housings, with the battery housings preferably stacked one above the other. This allows for a quasi-modular structure consisting of several separate battery units. Short description of the characters

[0028] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description of the figures. In the figures: Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective detailed view of a battery arrangement; Fig. 2 schematically shows a plan view of the battery arrangement from Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a perspective side view of a positioning element of the battery assembly from Fig. 1; Fig. 4 schematically shows a sectional view through the battery arrangement of Fig. 1 in the area of ​​a positioning element; and Fig. 5 schematically shows a sectional view through a battery arrangement according to a further embodiment. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0029] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements in the different figures are provided with identical reference numerals, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted to avoid redundancies.

[0030] In Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective detailed view of a battery assembly 1. The battery assembly 1 comprises a first battery unit 2 and a second battery unit 3 stacked above the first battery unit 2 in a stacking direction 4. The second battery unit 3 is positioned relative to the first battery unit 2 by means of a positioning element 5. The positioning element 5 extends from the first battery unit 2 toward the second battery unit 3 and is displaceable in a plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction 4.

[0031] For reasons of clarity, a base element 30 of the second battery arrangement 3 is shown here in section and translucent.

[0032] The first battery unit 2 and the second battery unit 3 can each be accommodated in their own battery housings, so that the bottom element 30 can then correspond to a bottom region of the upper battery housing.

[0033] However, the first battery unit 2 and the second battery unit 3 can also be accommodated in a common battery housing, so that the base element 30 can then, for example, also correspond to a temperature control element for controlling the temperature of the respective battery unit.

[0034] In the present case, the battery assembly 1 has a plurality of positioning elements 5. The positioning elements 5 each extend through a positioning opening 32 of the base element 30.

[0035] The base element 30 is further fastened to the adapter plate 50 via a fastening element 7.

[0036] As from Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, two positioning elements 5 are mounted on a common adapter plate 50. The adapter plate 50 is arranged to be movable in the plane perpendicular to the stacking direction 4. This ensures the mobility of the individual positioning elements 5.

[0037] The adapter plate 50 is further configured to absorb forces in the stacking direction 4. For this purpose, the adapter plate 50 is connected to the first battery unit 2 via connecting rails 6, wherein the connecting rails 6 are designed to be rigid in the stacking direction 4 and flexible perpendicular to the stacking direction 4.

[0038] In order to achieve the above, the connecting rails 6 are designed such that they have a greater area moment of inertia in the stacking direction 4 than perpendicular to the stacking direction 4. For this purpose, the connecting rails 6 each have a cross-section whose length 60 in the stacking direction 4 is greater than its width 62 perpendicular to the stacking direction 4. Furthermore, each connecting rail 6 has at least one curvature 64 about a curvature axis 66 substantially parallel to the stacking direction 4 along its longitudinal extent.

[0039] As a result, the adapter plate 50 and thus also the positioning elements 5 are arranged to be displaceable in the plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction 4 in a first direction at least in a predetermined range and in a second direction extending orthogonally to the first direction in a predetermined range; moreover, the adapter plate 50 and thus also the positioning elements 5 can pivot in a predetermined angular range about the stacking direction 4.

[0040] According to this embodiment, at least one connecting rail 6 is designed as a busbar for electrically contacting the first battery unit 2 and the adapter plate 50.

[0041] The positioning elements 5 further comprise a contacting element which has a first contact surface for electrically contacting the first battery unit 2 at a first end and a second contact surface 53 for electrically contacting the second battery unit 3 at a second end, wherein the contacting element is surrounded by an electrically insulating material between the first contact surface and the second contact surface 53, as will be described later with reference to Fig. 4 described in more detail.

[0042] The positioning elements 5 have an outer cross-sectional profile perpendicular to the stacking direction 4, the shape of which is designed such that, in addition to guiding the second battery unit 3 in the stacking direction 4, a positioning of the second battery unit 3 relative to the first battery unit 2 in the sense of an angular positioning with respect to an angle enclosed by the projections of a longitudinal extent of the first battery unit 2 and a longitudinal extent of the second battery unit 3 onto the plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction 3 is provided.

[0043] In order to enable easy positioning, each positioning element 5 has, at an end facing the second battery unit 3, an insertion section 56 extending from the second end in the direction of the first battery unit 2, which tapers in the direction of the second battery unit 3, wherein the insertion section 56 is frustoconical in the present case.

[0044] The adapter plate 50 can optionally be supported in the stacking direction 4 with a side facing the first battery unit 2 on the first battery unit 2 on an electrically insulating section in the form of a cover plate 80 of the first battery unit 2.

[0045] In Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the battery assembly 1 of Fig. 1. In order to electrically contact the first battery unit 2 with the second battery unit 3, a busbar 36 is arranged between the positioning element 5 and a contact 34 of the second battery unit 3.

[0046] Fig. 3 shows a perspective side view of a positioning element 5 of the battery assembly 1 from Fig. 1, in which the insertion section 56 can be examined again in detail.

[0047] Out of Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view through the battery assembly 1 of Fig. 1 in the region of a positioning element 5. It can be clearly seen here that the contacting element 51 extends from one end 57 to the second end 58 and has the first contact surface 52 at the first end 57, with which it electrically contacts the adapter plate 50 and thus the first battery unit 2, and the second contact surface 53 at the second end 58, with which it electrically contacts the second battery unit 3 via the busbar 36. Furthermore, it can be clearly seen that the contacting element 51 is surrounded by the electrically insulating material 54 between the first contact surface 52 and the second contact surface 53.

[0048] For reasons of clarity, the insertion section 56 is not shown.

[0049] Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows a sectional view through a battery assembly 1 according to a further embodiment. This essentially corresponds to that of Fig.4, wherein the positioning element 5 further comprises a shoulder 55, which provides a predetermined distance between the first battery unit 2 and the second battery unit 3. The shoulder 55 is designed such that the second battery unit 3 rests on the shoulder 55 by means of its base element 30.

[0050] Where applicable, all individual features presented in the embodiments may be combined and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention. List of reference symbols 1 Battery arrangement 2 First battery unit 3 Second battery unit 30 floor element 32 Positioning opening 34 Contacting 36 Busbar 4 Stacking direction 5 Positioning element 50 adapter plate 51 Contact element 52 First contact surface 53 Second contact surface 54 Electrically insulating material 55 paragraph 56 Introductory section 57 First End 58 Second End 6 connecting rail 60 length 62 width 64 Curvature 66 axis of curvature 7 Fastening element 8 Battery module 80 cover plate

Claims

[1] Battery arrangement (1) comprising a first battery unit (2) and a second battery unit (3) stacked in a stacking direction (4) above the first battery unit (2), wherein a positioning element (5) extending in the stacking direction (4) from the first battery unit (2) to the second battery unit (3) is provided for positioning the second battery unit (3) relative to the first battery unit (2), characterized by that the positioning element (5) is displaceable in a plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction (4). [2] Battery arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the positioning element (5) extends from the first battery unit (2) through a positioning opening (32) in a base element (30) of the second battery unit (3) in the direction of the second battery unit (3). [3] Battery arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the positioning element (5) is fastened to an adapter plate (50) extending in the plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction (4), wherein the adapter plate (50) is arranged to be movable in the plane perpendicular to the stacking direction (4). [4] Battery arrangement (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the adapter plate (50) is designed to absorb forces in the stacking direction (4). [5] Battery arrangement (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the adapter plate (50) is connected to the first battery unit (2) via at least one connecting rail (6), wherein the at least one connecting rail (6) is designed to be rigid in the stacking direction (4) and flexible perpendicular to the stacking direction (4). [6] Battery arrangement (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized byin that the at least one connecting rail (6) has a greater area moment of inertia in the stacking direction (4) than perpendicular to the stacking direction (4), wherein preferably the at least one connecting rail (6) has a cross-section whose length (60) in the stacking direction (4) is greater than its width (62) perpendicular to the stacking direction (4), and the connecting rail (6) has at least one curvature (64) about an axis of curvature (66) substantially parallel to the stacking direction (4) along its longitudinal extent. [7] Battery arrangement (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by that the connecting rail (6) is designed as a busbar for electrically contacting the first battery unit (2) and the adapter plate (50) and / or a contacting element (51) of the adapter plate (50). [8] Battery arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the positioning element (5) comprises a contacting element (51) which has a first contact surface (52) for electrically contacting the first battery unit (2) at a first end and a second contact surface (53) for electrically contacting the second battery unit (3) at a second end, wherein the contacting element (51) is surrounded by an electrically insulating material (54) between the first contact surface (52) and the second contact surface (53). [9] Battery arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the positioning element (5) has an outer cross-sectional profile perpendicular to the stacking direction (4), the shape of which is designed such that, in addition to guiding the second battery unit (3) in the stacking direction (4), a positioning of the second battery unit (3) relative to the first battery unit (2), preferably an angular positioning based on an angle enclosed by the projections of a longitudinal extent of the first battery unit (2) and a longitudinal extent of the second battery unit (3) onto the plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction (4), is provided. [10] Battery arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the positioning element (5) has a shoulder (55) for providing a predetermined distance between the first battery unit (2) and the second battery unit (3), designed such that the second battery unit (3), preferably a base element (30) of the second battery unit (3), rests on the shoulder (55). [11] Battery arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the positioning element (5) has, at an end (58) facing the second battery unit (3), an insertion section (56) extending from the second end (58) in the direction of the first battery unit (2), wherein the insertion section (56) preferably tapers in the direction of the end (58) facing the second battery unit (3), wherein the insertion section (56) is preferably at least partially frustoconical and / or truncated pyramid-shaped and / or has at least one phase. [12] Battery arrangement (1) according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized by that the adapter plate (50) is supported in the stacking direction (4) with a side (57) facing the first battery unit (2) on the first battery unit (2), preferably on an electrically insulating section of the first battery unit (2). [13] Battery arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the positioning element (5) is arranged to be displaceable at least in a first direction at least in a predetermined range in the plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction (4), wherein the positioning element (5) is arranged to be displaceable in the plane extending perpendicular to the stacking direction (4), preferably in the first direction and a second direction extending orthogonally to the first direction, in each case at least in a predetermined range, and / or that the positioning element (5) is arranged to be pivotable at least in a predetermined angular range about the stacking direction (4). [14] Battery arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a plurality of positioning elements (5) is provided, wherein at least two positioning elements (5)e are arranged on a common adapter plate (50). [15] Battery arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first battery unit (2) and the second battery unit (3) are accommodated in a common battery housing or that the first battery unit (2) and the second battery unit (3) are accommodated in separate battery housings, wherein the battery housings are preferably stacked one above the other.

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