Battery module and traction battery

Abstract

Battery module (1) for a traction battery of a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of battery cells (3) arranged one behind the other in a stacking direction (2), and at least one clamping plate (5) extending laterally in the stacking direction (2) to the plurality of battery cells and having a plurality of through-openings (6) for clamping the plurality of battery cells (3) to one another in the stacking direction (2), wherein the clamping plate (5) is in contact with the battery cells (3) with its side (13) facing the battery cells (3), characterized in that a conductor medium (7) for providing heat transfer from a battery cell (3) to a temperature control unit (8) arranged on the outer surface (14) of the clamping plate (5) opposite the side (13) facing the battery cells (3) is arranged in at least one of the through-openings (6), wherein the through-openings (6) are distributed on the clamping plate (5) in such a way thatthat an uneven cooling performance in the direction of the battery cells (3), which is provided by the temperature control unit (8) arranged on the outside (14) of the clamping plate (5), is at least partially equalized by the arrangement of the through-openings (6) in the clamping plate (5) on the side (13) facing the battery cells.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module for a traction battery and a traction battery for providing a drive current for an electric motor of a motor vehicle. State of the art

[0002] In the field of battery assemblies, for example vehicle batteries, it is known to assemble these from several battery modules, whereby the individual battery modules can in turn contain a plurality of battery cells. Thus, the battery modules containing multiple battery cells each form high-voltage units.

[0003] When using prismatic battery cells, these are usually stacked in one direction, for example next to each other or one behind the other, so that the contacts of the cells located on the top side can all be contacted on the top side by a common busbar.

[0004] Prismatic battery cells are pre-tensioned against each other in the stacking direction to form battery modules. This serves two purposes: firstly, to provide a mechanical connection, and secondly, to counteract the fluctuating forces of the prismatic battery cells during their charging and discharging cycles. A clamping device or tie rod system is used for this purpose, applying pre-tension to the battery cells in the stacking direction. This tie rod system comprises end plates and tie rods, the latter of which can, for example, be designed as clamping plates to brace the battery cells against each other in the stacking direction. Within the battery module, the tie rods or clamping plates perform only the aforementioned mechanical functions. They are typically guided laterally past the battery cells.

[0005] The battery modules must be designed to dissipate the heat inevitably generated during operation and charging of the battery cells. Furthermore, it is advantageous to maintain the temperature distribution within a battery cell and between the battery cells of a battery module within certain limits or tolerances. Accordingly, it is known to cool the battery cells installed in the battery module on at least one side. Cooling the battery cells on multiple sides would be most effective. However, this is limited by the clamping device or the clamping plates, as these typically cover at least two sides of the module, thus preventing or limiting cooling from these areas.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2009 038 404 A1 discloses a battery module comprising a clamping device. This device includes plate-shaped retaining elements for clamping the battery cells. These retaining elements have openings to prevent heat buildup from the battery cells installed in the clamping device. On the inside of the plate-shaped retaining elements are nubs for tolerance compensation, which space the plates away from the battery cells.

[0007] To cool battery cells stacked in a battery module, US Patent 2014 / 0356690A1 teaches the use of spacers between the individual cells, creating flow channels for a fluid. To allow the fluid to reach these channels, the clamping plates located laterally to the battery cells have openings through which the cooling fluid can flow into the channels from the outside. A similarly designed battery module can be found in JP Patent 2008-277085A. The cooling capacity between the battery cells can be increased by providing these cooling channels. However, such battery modules have a complex structure, are heavy, and have a large longitudinal extent relative to the number of battery cells stacked.Accordingly, the energy density of such battery modules, and thus their capacity relative to their volume or mass, can be comparatively low compared to battery modules with the same number of battery cells without cooling channels.

[0008] DE 10 2015 010 983 A1 discloses a battery comprising a plurality of electrically parallel connected individual cells and a basic temperature control device for the basic temperature control of all individual cells, as well as an equalization temperature control device for equalizing the temperature control of one or more individual cells.

[0009] US 2011 / 0151301A1 discloses a battery assembly comprising a plurality of battery modules, each comprising a plurality of battery cells, and a heat absorber located adjacent to at least one of the battery modules, the heat absorber containing a phase-change material.

[0010] DE 10 2016 222 264 A1 shows a battery module with a battery module housing which has a plurality of housing walls forming an interior space, wherein a plurality of battery cells are arranged in the interior space, and the battery module housing further has a cooling element receptacle, wherein a cooling element of the battery module is arranged in the cooling element receptacle of the battery module housing. Description of the invention

[0011] Starting from the known state of the art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved battery module for a traction battery of a motor vehicle, as well as an improved traction battery of a motor vehicle.

[0012] The problem is solved by a battery module for a traction battery of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0013] Accordingly, a battery module for a motor vehicle traction battery is proposed, comprising a plurality of battery cells arranged one behind the other in a stacking direction, and at least one clamping plate extending laterally to the plurality of battery cells in the stacking direction and having a plurality of through-openings for clamping the plurality of battery cells to one another in the stacking direction, wherein the clamping plate is in contact with the battery cells with its side facing the battery cells. Furthermore, in at least one of the through-openings, preferably in a plurality of the through-openings, and particularly preferably in all through-openings, a conductor medium is arranged in the battery module to provide direct heat transfer from a battery cell to a temperature control unit located on the outer side of the clamping plate opposite the side facing the battery cells.

[0014] By arranging a conductive medium in at least one of the through-holes to provide direct heat transfer from a battery cell to a temperature control unit located on the outer surface of the clamping plate opposite the side facing the battery cells, the thermal resistance between the respective battery cells and the temperature control unit can be reduced. For example, the thermal resistance between the side surfaces of the respective battery cells and the temperature control unit can be reduced.

[0015] The conductive medium is in thermally conductive contact with at least one battery cell or its side surface, and is also in thermally conductive contact with the temperature control unit. Accordingly, heat can be dissipated from the at least one battery cell to the temperature control unit via the conductive medium. The only interfaces present are the interface between the battery cell and the conductive medium, and the interface between the conductive medium and the temperature control unit. Therefore, direct heat transfer from the battery cell to the temperature control unit via the conductive medium is provided.

[0016] The thermal resistance between the battery cell and the temperature control unit is therefore reduced compared to a design where air, rather than a conductive medium, is used in the through-opening, or to a design without a through-opening. Accordingly, the battery cells can also be supplied with sufficient cooling power via the side where the clamping plate is located, thus achieving particularly uniform temperature control of the battery cells.

[0017] A "conducting medium" is understood to be a medium that has a comparatively high thermal conductivity, for example a thermal conductivity at 20°C of greater than or equal to 0.5 W / m. 2 *K, preferably greater than or equal to 1 W / m² 2 *K, 5 W / m 2 *K, 10 W / m 2 *K, 15 W / m 2 *K, 20 W / m 2 *K, 25 W / m 2 *K, 30 W / m 2 *K, 35 W / m 2 *K, 40 W / m 2 *K, 45 W / m 2 *K, 50 W / m2 *K, 55 W / m 2 *K, 60 W / m 2 *K, 65 W / m 2 *K, 70 W / m 2 *K, 75 W / m 2 *K, or even 80 W / m 2 *K. Preferably, the thermal conductivity of the conductor medium is greater than the thermal conductivity of the material of the clamping plate.

[0018] The conductor medium preferably has a high electrical resistance in order to provide electrical insulation.

[0019] The aforementioned advantages can be further enhanced if the conductor medium is arranged in a majority of the through-holes, preferably in all through-holes of the clamping plate.

[0020] In this context, "tensioning the majority of battery cells towards each other in the stacking direction" means applying a compressive stress to the majority of battery cells towards each other in the stacking direction, so that the majority of battery cells are pre-tensioned towards each other in the stacking direction.

[0021] It has proven particularly advantageous if the conductive medium is a conductive medium that is essentially non-flowing at room temperature and / or a pasty, gel-like, solid-like, and / or cross-linking conductive medium, preferably a conductive paste, a conductive gel, and / or a conductive solid. Such a conductive medium is also referred to as a gap filler. This ensures that the conductive medium does not flow out of the through-hole(s) in the assembled state of the battery module, or at least moves only minimally out of the through-hole and is therefore no longer available for heat transfer between the battery cell and the temperature control unit.

[0022] If the temperature control unit includes a cooling plate contacting the outside of the clamping plate, preferably a cooling plate at least partially permeated by a cooling fluid, particularly efficient cooling of the battery cells on the corresponding side can be achieved. In particular, mechanical fixation or a positive locking mechanism with respect to the conductor medium present in the through-hole can also be achieved. The cooling plate seals the through-hole on the outside, preventing the conductor medium from flowing or falling out of the through-hole due to gravity. This design is particularly suitable for embodiments in which a non-crosslinking conductor medium is used.

[0023] Preferably, the through-opening on the inside, i.e., the side of the clamping plate facing the battery cells, is substantially concealed by the battery cells, which are preferably stacked directly next to each other. This prevents the conductive medium from flowing or falling out of the through-opening towards the battery cells.

[0024] The through-holes are distributed on the clamping plate in such a way that any uneven cooling capacity towards the battery cells, provided by the temperature control unit located on the outside of the clamping plate, is at least partially compensated for by the arrangement of the through-holes on the side facing the battery cells. Accordingly, the thermal resistance between the temperature control unit and the battery cells can be higher in areas with high cooling capacity per unit area provided by the temperature control unit than in areas with reduced cooling capacity per unit area. The cooling capacity reaching the battery cells can therefore be more uniform.Accordingly, a more uniform temperature distribution can be achieved within and between individual battery cells than in a design without the compensating arrangement of the through-holes. This, in turn, can increase the lifespan of the battery cells and thus the battery module.

[0025] The compensating effect achieved by the previously described corresponding arrangement of the through-holes can optionally be enhanced in some embodiments by arranging the conductor medium in only some of the through-holes.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment, the through-openings are irregularly or unevenly distributed across the clamping plate when viewed in the stacking direction.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, the individual passage openings have different cross-sectional areas.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, a different number of through-openings per length section of the clamping plate are arranged in the stacking direction and / or in the direction of a gradient of the cooling capacity provided by the temperature control unit.

[0029] According to a further preferred embodiment, the spacing of adjacent through-openings and / or the number of through-openings per longitudinal section of the clamping plate and / or the cross-sectional areas of the through-openings vary in the direction of a gradient of cooling capacity provided by the temperature control unit. The gradient is preferably oriented such that it points from high cooling capacity towards lower cooling capacity. Preferably, as the cooling capacity provided by the temperature control unit decreases on the outside of the clamping plate, i.e., in the direction of the gradient, the spacing of adjacent through-openings decreases. Alternatively or additionally, as the cooling capacity provided by the temperature control unit decreases on the outside of the clamping plate, the number of through-openings per longitudinal section of the clamping plate and / or the cross-sectional areas of the through-openings can increase.

[0030] For example, to counteract the escape of conductor medium from a through-hole on the side of the clamping plate facing the battery cells particularly effectively, at least one of the through-holes, preferably a plurality of the through-holes, and especially preferably all through-holes, can be arranged at the level of one of the plurality of battery cells when viewed in the stacking direction.

[0031] Preferably, the battery cells of the battery module are prismatic battery cells.

[0032] The problem stated above is further solved by a traction battery for providing a drive current for an electric motor of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 9. Advantageous further developments will become apparent from the dependent claims as well as from the present description and the figures.

[0033] Accordingly, a traction battery for providing traction current for an electric motor of a motor vehicle is proposed, which comprises a plurality of battery modules according to one of the above embodiments.

[0034] Because the traction battery comprises at least one battery module according to one of the preceding embodiments, the advantages and effects described with regard to the battery module can also be achieved analogously by the traction battery. Brief description of the characters

[0035] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. These show: Fig. 1 schematically a perspective side view of a battery module for a traction battery; Fig. 2 schematically a sectional view through the battery module Fig. 1; Fig. 3 schematically a sectional view through a battery module according to a further embodiment; Fig. 4 schematically a perspective side view of a battery module according to a further embodiment; Fig. 5 schematically a side view of a battery module according to a further embodiment; Fig. 6 schematically shows a path through a temperature control unit of the battery module. Fig. 5 cooling capacity provided along a stacking direction; Fig. 7 schematically a side view of a battery module according to a further embodiment; Fig. 8 schematically shows a course through a temperature control unit of the battery module. Fig. 7 cooling capacity provided along a stacking direction; Fig. 9 schematically a side view of a battery module according to a further embodiment; Fig. 10 schematically shows a course through a temperature control unit of the battery module. Fig. 9 cooling capacity provided along a stacking direction; Fig. 11 schematically a side view of a battery module according to a further embodiment; Fig. 12 schematically shows a course through a temperature control unit of the battery module. Fig. 11 cooling capacity provided along a stacking direction; and Fig. 13 schematically another side view of the battery module from Fig. 11. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0036] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements in the different figures are designated with identical reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these elements are sometimes omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0037] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective side view of a battery module 1 for a traction battery. The battery module 1 comprises a plurality of prismatic battery cells 3 arranged directly one behind the other in a stacking direction 2. The battery cells 3 are prestressed against each other by applying a compressive force to them from the outside in the stacking direction 2. In this case, the compressive force is provided by a clamping plate 5 arranged laterally on both sides of the battery cells 3 when viewed in the stacking direction 2. This clamping plate clamps the plurality of battery cells 3 against each other in the stacking direction 2. For perspective reasons, in Fig. 1 Only one of the two clamping plates 5 is visible. With respect to the stacking direction 2, an end plate 4 is arranged at the beginning and end of the stack of battery cells 3, by means of which the clamping plates 5 interact to apply the preload. The clamping plates 5 comprise a plurality of through-openings 6.

[0038] Not shown in this figure are a conductor medium arranged in the through-openings 6 and a temperature control unit arranged on the outside of the clamping plates 5. These will be discussed in detail in the following figures.

[0039] Out of Fig. Figure 2 is a very schematic cross-sectional view through battery module 1. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the clamping plates 5, with their side 13 facing the battery cells (corresponding to an inner surface of the clamping plates 5), are in contact with the battery cells 3. In this case, the contact is essentially a full-surface contact. Alternatively, the contact could also be a partial-surface contact with a plurality of contacting partial surfaces, a line contact with a plurality of contacting lines, and / or a point contact with a plurality of contacting points or areas.

[0040] The through-openings 6 are essentially closed on the (inner) side 13 by the sides of the battery cells 3. Opposite the side 13 facing the battery cells 3, a temperature control unit 8, provided in the form of a cooling plate 9, contacts the outer surface 14 of the clamping plates 5. The cooling plates 9 each comprise a cooling media channel 10 through which cooling fluid, optionally in the form of cooling water, or alternatively, but not exclusively, another flowable fluid, such as air or cooling oil, flows in a flow direction 11. The through-openings 6 are essentially covered on the outer surface 14 by the cooling plates 9.

[0041] A conductive medium 7, in the form of a spreadable conductive paste, is arranged in the through-holes in 6. Viewed in the stacking direction 2, this medium is in thermally conductive contact radially inside with the side of the battery cells 3 to be cooled and radially outside with the temperature control unit 8. This provides direct heat transfer from the battery cells 3 to the temperature control unit 8 via the conductive medium 7. Accordingly, the thermal resistance between the battery cells 3 and the temperature control unit 8 is reduced by the conductive medium 7 compared to through-holes 6 filled with air.

[0042] Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows a sectional view through a battery module 1 according to a further preferred embodiment. The battery module 1 essentially corresponds to that shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In contrast to battery module 1 made of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 the through openings 6 are not arranged at a uniform distance from each other when viewed in the stacking direction 2, but are arranged in such a way that a cooling capacity per unit area decreasing in the direction of flow 11, which is optionally oriented here in the direction of the stacking direction 2, is at least partially equalized on the side 13 facing the battery cells 3, which is provided on both sides by the temperature control units 8 arranged on the outside 14 of the clamping plates 5.

[0043] In this case, the distance 12 between adjacent passage openings 6 decreases successively in the stacking direction 2. Accordingly, a distance 12 between the first two passage openings 6 viewed in the stacking direction 2 is larger than a subsequent distance 12', this in turn is larger than a subsequent distance 12", and this in turn is larger than a subsequent distance 12'''.

[0044] Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows a perspective side view of a battery module 1 according to a further preferred embodiment. The battery module 1 essentially corresponds to that shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In contrast to battery module 1 made of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The through-openings 6, viewed in the stacking direction 2, are not arranged at uniform intervals, but rather are irregularly distributed across the clamping plate 5 in the stacking direction 2, which corresponds to the direction of flow of the cooling fluid. This is achieved by providing a different number of through-openings 5 ​​per longitudinal section of the clamping plate 5 in the stacking direction 2. Viewed in the stacking direction 2, the number of through-openings 6 increases with increasing distance from the clamping plate 5. Fig. The 4 unconcealed end plate 4 can be considered the beginning of the battery module 1 in the stacking direction 2. Furthermore, the through-openings 5 ​​have different cross-sectional areas, with the size of the through-openings 6, or rather the size of their cross-sectional areas, being increased in the last two rows of through-openings 6 when viewed in the stacking direction 2. The conductor medium 7 is arranged in all through-openings 6.

[0045] Out of Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows a side view of a battery module 1 according to a further preferred embodiment. The battery module 1 essentially corresponds to the one shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The through-openings 6 are arranged at a constant distance 12 from each other when viewed in the stacking direction 2. The two right-hand rows of through-openings 6' perpendicular to the stacking direction 2 have a larger through-cross-sectional area than the two left-hand rows of through-openings 6. This allows for the compensation of uneven cooling capacity of the temperature control unit 8 (not shown here). The cooling capacity of the temperature control unit 8 (here in Fig. (5 not shown) at the battery cells 3 decreases along a gradient indicated by the reference symbol 15. The gradient 15 optionally extends in the stacking direction 2. The conductor medium 7 is arranged in all through-openings 6.

[0046] Fig. Figure 6 schematically shows a course 18 of the temperature control unit 8 of the battery module 1. Fig. 5 along the stacking direction 2 provided cooling capacity. Reference numerals 16 and 17 indicate the beginning and end of the stacked battery cells 3 when viewed in the stacking direction 2. The beginning 16 and the end 17 correspond in terms of their location to the end plates 4. The conductor medium 7 is arranged in all through-openings 6.

[0047] Fig. Figure 7 schematically shows a side view of a battery module 1 according to a further preferred embodiment, and Fig. 8 schematically a course 18 of a through a temperature control unit of the battery module 1 from Fig. 7 cooling capacity provided along the stacking direction 2. Battery module 1 essentially corresponds to that from the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. The through-holes 6 are arranged at a constant distance from each other in the stacking direction 2 and have a constant through-cross-section. The number of through-holes 6 per unit length of the clamping plate 5 varies in the direction of the gradient 15. As the cooling capacity decreases, the number of through-holes 6 per unit length increases in the direction of the gradient 15. The conductor medium 7 is located in all through-holes 6.

[0048] Fig. Figure 9 schematically shows a side view of a battery module 1 according to a further preferred embodiment, and Fig. Figure 10 schematically shows the course 18 of the temperature control unit 8 of the battery module 1. Fig. 9 cooling capacity provided along the stacking direction 2. Battery module 1 essentially corresponds to that from the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. The through-holes 6 are arranged at varying distances 12-12'''' from each other in the direction of the gradient 15, with the distance 12-12'''' between adjacent through-holes 6 decreasing in the direction of the gradient 15, and thus decreasing with decreasing cooling capacity. The through-holes 6 have a constant cross-sectional area. The number of through-holes 6 in the direction of the gradient 15 is the same. The conductive medium 7 is located in all through-holes 6.

[0049] Fig. Figure 11 schematically shows a side view of a battery module 1 according to a further preferred embodiment. The battery module 1 essentially corresponds to that shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. In this embodiment, the temperature control unit 8 is designed such that it comprises a radial gradient 15 radiating from a center 19. Accordingly, the cooling capacity of the temperature control unit 8 decreases with increasing distance from the center 19.

[0050] Fig. Figure 12 schematically shows the course of the flow through the temperature control unit 8 of the battery module 1. Fig. 11 cooling capacity provided along the stacking direction 2.

[0051] Out of Fig. Figure 13 is a schematic representation of another side view of battery module 1. Fig. Figure 11 shows the temperature control unit 8 not visible or "removed". As shown in Figure 11, the temperature control unit 8 is not visible or has been "removed". Fig.As can be seen in Figure 13, the through-holes 6 are not evenly distributed on the clamping plate 5, but vary in number and size. Thus, with increasing distance from the center 19 in the direction of the gradient 15, the cross-sectional area of ​​the through-holes 6 increases as the cooling capacity decreases. By providing a larger effective area or contact area for the conductor medium 7 in the through-holes 6 with increasing distance from the center 19, the thermal resistance between the battery cells 3 and the temperature control unit 8 can be progressively reduced, thereby counteracting the decreasing cooling capacity in the direction of the gradient 15. The conductor medium 7 is located in all through-holes 6.

[0052] Where applicable, all individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined and / or exchanged without leaving the scope of the invention. Reference symbol list 1 battery module 2 Stacking direction 3 battery cells 4 End plate 5 chipboard 6. Through opening 7 conductor medium 8 temperature control unit 9 Cooling plate 10 Cooling media channel 11 Flow direction 12 distance 13 Side facing the battery cells 14 Outside 15 Gradient 16 Beginning 17 End 18 Course 19 Center

Claims

[1] Battery module (1) for a traction battery of a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of battery cells (3) arranged one behind the other in a stacking direction (2), and at least one clamping plate (5) extending laterally in the stacking direction (2) to the plurality of battery cells and having a plurality of through-openings (6) for clamping the plurality of battery cells (3) to each other in the stacking direction (2), wherein the clamping plate (5) is in contact with the battery cells (3) with its side (13) facing the battery cells (3), characterized by, that in at least one of the through-openings (6) a conductor medium (7) is arranged to provide heat transfer from a battery cell (3) to a temperature control unit (8) arranged on the outside (14) of the clamping plate (5) opposite the side (13) facing the battery cells (3), wherein the through-openings (6) are distributed on the clamping plate (5) in such a way that an uneven cooling capacity in the direction of the battery cells (3), which is provided by the temperature control unit (8) arranged on the outside (14) of the clamping plate (5), is at least partially equalized by the arrangement of the through-openings (6) in the clamping plate (5) on the side (13) facing the battery cells. [2] Battery module (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the conductor medium (7) is a conductor medium (7) that is essentially non-flowing at room temperature and / or a pasty, gel-like and / or solid-like and / or cross-linking conductor medium (7), preferably a conductor paste, a conductor gel and / or a conductor solid. [3] Battery module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the temperature control unit (8) comprises a cooling plate (9) contacting the outside (14) of the clamping plate (5), particularly preferably a cooling plate (9) through which a cooling fluid flows at least partially. [4] Battery module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the through-openings (6) viewed in the stacking direction (2) are irregularly and / or unevenly distributed over the clamping plate (5) and / or the through-openings (6) have different through-cross-sectional areas and / or a different number of through-openings (6) per length section of the clamping plate (5) are arranged in the stacking direction (2) and / or in the direction of a gradient (15) of the cooling capacity provided by the temperature control unit (8). [5] Battery module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the distance (12) of adjacent through-openings (6) and / or the number of through-openings (6) per longitudinal section of the clamping plate (5) and / or the through-cross-sectional areas of the through-openings (6) vary in the direction of a gradient (15) of the cooling power provided by the temperature control unit (8), wherein preferably with decreasing cooling power provided by the temperature control unit (8) on the outside (14) of the clamping plate (5) the distance (12) of adjacent through-openings (6) decreases and / or the number of through-openings (6) per longitudinal section of the clamping plate (5) increases and / or the through-cross-sectional areas of the through-openings (6) increase. [6] Battery module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one of the through-openings (6), preferably a plurality of the through-openings (6), particularly preferably all through-openings in (6), stacking direction (2) are each arranged at the level of one of the plurality of battery cells (3). [7] Battery module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the battery cells (3) are prismatic battery cells (3). [8] Traction battery for providing tractive current to an electric motor of a motor vehicle, characterized by a plurality of battery modules (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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