Device for a degassing unit of a high-voltage battery, degassing unit and high-voltage battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (50) for a degassing unit (100) of a high-voltage battery (200) of an electrically powered vehicle, comprising at least a sealing device (52) which, when the degassing unit (100) is installed as intended on a housing opening (220) of a battery housing (210) of the high-voltage battery (200), is arranged in a cavity (40) facing the battery housing (210) between the degassing unit (100) and a wall (212) of the battery housing (210) and surrounds the housing opening (220) in a fluid-tight manner. The sealing device (52) surrounds a degassing opening (22) of a base body (10) of the degassing unit (100) circumferentially. The sealing device (52) is arranged radially between the degassing opening (22) and an outer sealing element (20) arranged circumferentially on an outer edge (26) of the base body (10) of the degassing unit (100). The invention further relates to a degassing unit (100) and a high-voltage battery (200).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for a degassing unit of a high-voltage battery of an electrically operated vehicle as well as a degassing unit and a high-voltage battery.

[0002] Degassing units with bursting discs are well known in high-voltage batteries. They serve to ensure pressure equalization between the interior and exterior of the battery during normal operating conditions, and in the event of a thermal event in one or more battery cells, to allow hot gases generated in the battery cells to escape to the exterior. In the event of excess pressure inside the battery housing, the bursting disc can open, allowing the hot gas to escape.

[0003] For reasons of installation space, the degassing unit of a high-voltage battery is usually mounted from the interior of the battery housing through an opening in the wall of the battery housing and screwed from the outside.

[0004] WO 2017 / 079648 A1 discloses a degassing unit and a method for assembling the same. The degassing unit comprises a device body shaped such that there are no leakage paths to its radially outer surface. The rupture disc of the degassing unit is welded to the device body, so that the welded joint therebetween does not serve as structural support but functions merely as a seal. In one form, the welded joint is formed such that the welding beam is directed axially transverse to the thickness of the rupture disc to minimize undesirable fluctuations in the burst pressure of the rupture disc that might otherwise arise due to the heat generated during weld formation.

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a device for an improved degassing unit of a high-voltage battery of an electrically operated vehicle.

[0006] A further object is to provide an improved degassing unit with such a device.

[0007] A further object is to provide a high-voltage battery with an improved degassing unit having such a device.

[0008] The above-mentioned objects are solved by the features of the independent claims.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments and advantages of the invention emerge from the further claims, the description and the drawing.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, a device for a degassing unit of a high-voltage battery of an electrically operated vehicle is proposed, comprising at least one sealing device which, when the degassing unit is properly mounted on a housing opening of a battery housing of the high-voltage battery, is arranged in a cavity facing the battery housing between the degassing unit and a wall of the battery housing and surrounds the housing opening in a fluid-tight manner. The sealing device circumferentially surrounds a degassing opening of a base body of the degassing unit. The sealing device is arranged radially between the degassing opening and an outer sealing element circumferentially arranged on an outer edge of the base body of the degassing unit.

[0011] The proposed device serves to fill and seal the cavity between the degassing unit and the wall of the battery housing, which is formed due to the design of the degassing unit when mounted on the battery housing. This advantageously prevents a medium, particularly a corrosive one, from accumulating in the cavity. This prevents the medium from corroding the battery housing over time, and the corrosion from infiltrating the outer sealing element, thereby causing it to leak.

[0012] The sealing device can be inserted into an existing degassing unit, especially one with a rupture disc, without much effort. The collar of the sealing device, combined with a bevel, creates a sealed space between the inner sealing element of the device and the outer sealing element. This prevents the penetration of corrosive media without impairing the sealing function of the outer sealing element, which creates an airtight seal inside the chamber.

[0013] By inserting the inner sealing element as a pre-seal, an airtight space is advantageously created. This protects the battery housing from corrosion.

[0014] The cavity between the two sealing elements is filled and sealed as an insulated space.

[0015] The device can be used both as a series solution and as a retrofit solution for service.

[0016] The sealing device can be designed as a flexible displacement body. The displacement body can be made of an elastomer, thus compensating for manufacturing tolerances and surface defects.

[0017] The device can be handled as bulk material.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device, the sealing device can have an inner sealing element that surrounds the vent opening in a ring. This allows the cavity to be filled and simultaneously sealed by the sealing device.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device, the sealing device can have radially outwardly extending displacement bodies that fill the cavity between the base body and the outer sealing element of the degassing unit. This ensures that, in a more complex structure of the base body of the degassing unit, no cavities remain unfilled, where potentially corrosive media could accumulate.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device, the sealing device can be flexible, in particular made of an elastomer. This advantageously compensates for manufacturing tolerances and defects in the surface finish.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device, the sealing device can be arranged on the degassing unit in a replaceable manner. This means that the device can either be integrated during the production of the degassing unit or be retrofitted later.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device, the sealing device can be handled as bulk material. This allows the device to be handled cost-effectively in logistics.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device, the sealing device can have a toothed contour on a circumference, which is designed to mesh with a complementary toothed contour of the base body of the degassing unit. In particular, the toothed contour can have axially extending incisions distributed over a circumference. This ensures that the device, when mounted on the base body of the degassing unit, does not get lost during handling, for example, during battery production. Furthermore, it is ensured that any remaining cavities on the base body are filled with the device.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device, the sealing device can have radial indentations for accommodating fastening elements of the base body. In this way, the sealing device can effectively enclose and seal the contours of the fastening elements.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, a degassing unit for a high-voltage battery of an electrically operated vehicle is proposed, comprising a device at least comprising a base body having a front side and a rear side relative to an axial direction, with fastening elements and an outer sealing element arranged on the rear side, wherein the base body has a degassing opening. The outer sealing element circumferentially surrounds the degassing opening. When properly installed, the base body is arranged with its rear side essentially fluid-tight against a housing opening of a battery housing of the high-voltage battery. The device comprises at least one sealing device, which is arranged in a cavity facing the battery housing between the degassing unit and a wall of the battery housing and surrounds the housing opening in a fluid-tight manner.

[0026] With the degassing unit mounted on the battery housing, the cavity between the degassing unit and the wall of the battery housing, which is formed due to the design, is advantageously filled and sealed. This advantageously prevents a medium, especially a corrosive one, from accumulating in the cavity. This prevents the medium from corroding the battery housing over time, and the corrosion can undermine the outer sealing element, causing it to leak.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, a high-voltage battery of an electrically operated vehicle is proposed, comprising at least one battery housing in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged. The battery housing has at least one housing opening at which a degassing unit is arranged. The degassing unit is arranged on an inner side of a wall of the battery housing.

[0028] In the proposed high-voltage battery, the cavity between the degassing unit and the wall of the battery housing, which is formed due to the design, is advantageously filled and sealed. This advantageously prevents a medium, particularly a corrosive one, from accumulating in the cavity. This prevents the medium from corroding the battery housing over time, and the corrosion can undermine the outer sealing element, causing it to leak.

[0029] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0030] Showing: Fig. 1 a longitudinal section through a high-voltage battery with a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through the degassing unit according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a plan view of the degassing unit according to Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a device for a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 a cross section through the device according to Fig. 4 with section planes AA and BB; Fig. 6 a longitudinal section through the device in the section plane AA according to Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 a longitudinal section through the device in the section plane BB according to Fig. 5.

[0031] In the figures, identical or similar components are numbered with the same reference numerals. The figures show only examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a high-voltage battery 200 with a degassing unit 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0033] The high-voltage battery 200 of an electrically powered vehicle comprises a battery housing 210 in which a plurality of battery cells 216 (not shown) are arranged. The battery housing 210 is only partially shown in the longitudinal section. The battery housing 210 has a housing opening 220, at which a degassing unit 100 is arranged. The degassing unit 100 is arranged on an inner side 214 of a wall 212 of the battery housing 210 and is screwed from the outer side 82.

[0034] In Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the degassing unit 100 and in Fig. 3 shows a top view.

[0035] The degassing unit 100 comprises a base body 10 with a front side 12 and a rear side 14 relative to an axial direction 16. The base body 10 has fastening elements 18 with which the base body 10 can be screwed to the battery housing 210. An outer sealing element 20 is arranged on the rear side 14 of the degassing unit 100, which is mounted on the wall 212 of the battery housing 210.

[0036] The base body 10 has a degassing opening 22, through which the gas can flow from the interior 80 into the exterior 82 in the event of a thermal event.

[0037] The outer sealing element 20 surrounds the venting opening 22 all the way around, so that the base body 10 can be mounted with the rear side 14 essentially fluid-tight to the housing opening 220 of the battery housing 210 of the high-voltage battery 200 when mounted as intended.

[0038] When the degassing unit 100 is mounted on the battery housing 210, a cavity 40 is normally formed between the degassing unit 100 and the wall 212 of the battery housing 210. This cavity 40 is filled with a device 50 in the degassing unit 100 according to the invention shown.

[0039] The device 50 comprises a sealing device 52 which is arranged in the cavity 40 facing the battery housing 210 between the degassing unit 100 and the wall 212 of the battery housing 210 and surrounds the housing opening 220 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0040] The sealing device 52 surrounds the housing opening 220 in a fluid-tight manner. Furthermore, the sealing device 52 circumferentially surrounds the degassing opening 22 of the base body 10 of the degassing unit 100 and is arranged radially between the degassing opening 22 and the outer sealing element 20 arranged circumferentially on the outer edge 26 of the base body 10 of the degassing unit 100.

[0041] As in Fig. 3, the sealing device 52 has an inner sealing element 54, which surrounds the degassing opening 22 in an annular manner. Furthermore, the sealing device 52 has radially outwardly extending displacement bodies 56, which fill the cavity 40 between the base body 10 and the outer sealing element 20 of the degassing unit 100.

[0042] The sealing device 52 can advantageously be flexible, in particular made of an elastomer. This advantageously compensates for manufacturing tolerances and defects in the surface finish of the base body 10 and the wall 212 of the battery housing 210.

[0043] Fig. 4 shows an isometric view of the device 50 for the degassing unit 100. In Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross section through the device 50 with the section planes AA and BB drawn in. Fig. Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section through the device 50 in the section plane AA, while in Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section through the device 50 in the section plane BB.

[0044] In Fig. 4 shows the radially inwardly encircling inner sealing element 54, which surrounds the inner opening of the sealing device 52. Extending radially outward are the displacement bodies 56, which fill the various regions of the cavity 40 between the degassing unit 100 and the wall 212 of the battery housing 210.

[0045] The sealing device 52 further comprises a toothed contour 62 on a circumference, which is designed to mesh with a complementary toothed contour 28 of the base body 10 of the degassing unit 100. in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the complementary toothing contour 28 of the base body 10 is indicated, but is not visible due to the sealing device 52 arranged above it.

[0046] The toothing contour 62 can be formed, in particular, by axially extending notches 64 distributed around the circumference. The sealing device 52 can be placed with the notches 64 onto correspondingly formed ribs of the complementary toothing contour 28 of the base body 10 and thus be securely fixed in a captive manner.

[0047] In Fig. 6 the depth of the incisions 64 is clearly visible.

[0048] Furthermore, the sealing device 52 has radial indentations 60 for receiving fastening elements 18 of the base body 10. The indentations 60 tightly enclose the fastening elements 18 of the base body 10, so that the cavity 40 filled by the sealing device 52 is sealed.

[0049] In Fig. 7, the protruding, radially outwardly extending displacement bodies 56 of the sealing device 52 can be seen. In Fig. 7 shows the longitudinal section in the position in which the sealing device 52 is in the Fig. 2 shown section of the degassing unit 100 is also mounted. The inner sealing element 54 protrudes, in contrast to the illustration in Fig. 5 in the drawing plane downwards.

[0050] The sealing device 52 can advantageously be arranged on the degassing unit 100 in a replaceable manner. In this way, the sealing device 52 can be installed during the manufacture of the degassing unit 100. Alternatively, the sealing device 52 can also be installed subsequently, for example, during the assembly of the high-voltage battery 200 or even during maintenance.

[0051] Advantageously, the sealing device 52 can be handled as a bulk material, so that the sealing device 52 and thus the degassing unit 100 can be manufactured cost-effectively. List of reference symbols 10 basic bodies 12 Front 14 Back 16 axial direction 18 Fastening element 20 outer sealing element 22 Degassing opening 26 rand 28 Gear contour 40 cavity 50 device 52 Sealing device 54 inner sealing element 56 displacement bodies 60 indentation 62 Gear contour 64 incision 80 interior 82 Outdoor space 100 degassing unit 200 high-voltage battery 210 Battery housing 212 wall 214 Inside 216 battery cells 220 housing opening QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2017 / 079648 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Device (50) for a degassing unit (100) of a high-voltage battery (200) of an electrically operable vehicle, at least comprising a sealing device (52) which, when the degassing unit (100) is mounted as intended, is arranged on a housing opening (220) of a battery housing (210) of the high-voltage battery (200) in a cavity (40) facing the battery housing (210) between the degassing unit (100) and a wall (212) of the battery housing (210) and surrounds the housing opening (220) in a fluid-tight manner, wherein the sealing device (52) circumferentially surrounds a degassing opening (22) of a base body (10) of the degassing unit (100), wherein the sealing device (52) is arranged radially between the degassing opening (22) and an outer sealing element (20) arranged circumferentially on an outer edge (26) of the base body (10) of the degassing unit (100). [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing device (52) comprises an inner sealing element (54) which surrounds the degassing opening (22) in an annular manner. [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing device (52) has radially outwardly extending displacement bodies (56) which fill the cavity (40) between the base body (10) and the outer sealing element (20) of the degassing unit (100). [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing device (52) is flexible, in particular made of an elastomer. [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing device (52) is arranged replaceably on the degassing unit (100). [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing device (52) can be handled as bulk material. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing device (52) has a toothed contour (62) on a circumference, which is designed to mesh with a complementary toothed contour (28) of the base body (10) of the degassing unit (100), in particular wherein the toothed contour (62) has axially extending incisions (64) distributed on a circumference. [8] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing device (52) has radial indentations (60) for receiving fastening elements (18) of the base body (10). [9] Degassing unit (100) for a high-voltage battery (200) of an electrically operated vehicle with a device (50) according to one of the preceding claims, at least comprising a base body (10) with a front side (12) and a rear side (14) relative to an axial direction (16), with fastening elements (18) and an outer sealing element (20) arranged on the rear side (14), wherein the base body (10) has a venting opening (22), wherein the outer sealing element (20) circumferentially surrounds the venting opening (22), wherein the base body (10), when mounted as intended, is arranged with the rear side (14) in a substantially fluid-tight manner on a housing opening (220) of a battery housing (210) of the high-voltage battery (200), wherein the device (50) comprises at least one sealing device (52) which is arranged in a cavity (40) facing the battery housing (210) between the degassing unit (100) and a wall (212) of the battery housing (210) and surrounds the housing opening (220) in a fluid-tight manner. [10] High-voltage battery (200) of an electrically operated vehicle, at least comprising a battery housing (210) in which a plurality of battery cells (216) are arranged, wherein the battery housing (210) has at least one housing opening (220) at which a degassing unit (100) according to claim 9 is arranged, wherein the degassing unit (100) is arranged on an inner side (214) of a wall (212) of the battery housing (210).

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