Battery module arrangement and manufacturing process

Abstract

A battery module arrangement (20) comprises a battery module housing (21), battery cells (41), thermal paste (50) and at least one sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D), which thermal paste (50) is arranged at least sectionally between the battery module housing (21) and the battery cells (41), which sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) comprises a support element (32), a foam strip (34) and a sealing material (36), which foam strip (34) is arranged on the support element (32), and which sealing material (36) is provided at least partially between the foam strip (34) and the battery cells (41), which sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) is configured to provide a seal along the sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) to seal between the battery cells (41) and the battery module housing (21) in order to prevent or at least reduce the leakage of thermal paste (50) in this area.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a battery module arrangement and a method for producing a battery module arrangement.

[0002] DE 10 2021 109 282 A1 shows a battery module with a cell stack, a housing and a two-component seal.

[0003] DE 10 2016 217895 A1 shows an energy storage device for a motor vehicle with a sealing element and a heat conducting agent.

[0004] DE 10 2018 208 070 A1 shows a battery module device with a sealing element and a heat-conducting medium.

[0005] EP 3 754 744 A1 shows a method for producing a thermal interface in a battery.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new battery module assembly and a new method for producing a battery module assembly.

[0007] The problem is solved by the subject matter of claims 1 and 15.

[0008] A battery module arrangement comprises a battery module housing, battery cells, thermally conductive paste and at least one sealing arrangement, which battery cells are arranged in the battery module housing and which thermally conductive paste is arranged at least in sections between the battery module housing and the battery cells, which sealing arrangement comprises a carrier element, a foam strip and a sealing material, which foam strip is arranged on the carrier element and which sealing material is provided at least partially between the foam strip and the battery cells, which sealing arrangement is designed to seal along the sealing arrangement between the battery cells and the battery module housing in order to prevent or at least reduce leakage of the thermally conductive paste in this area.

[0009] The battery cells in a battery module assembly often do not form a smooth surface, and the sealing arrangements must compensate for and seal any cracks in the area of ​​the battery cells. The foam strip allows for a good contour fit, and the additional sealing material can further increase the sealing effect.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one sealing arrangement is designed, together with the battery module housing and the battery cells, to form a closed space for the thermally conductive paste. The area in which the thermally conductive paste is provided is thereby defined.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing material is designed as an adhesive. Adhesive enables particularly good sealing.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing material is designed as an MS polymer adhesive. This adhesive cures advantageously.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing material has at least a partial adhesive bond to at least one of the battery cells. This increases the sealing effect toward the battery cells.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing material has at least a partial adhesive bond to the foam strip. This increases the sealing effect toward the foam strip.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the thermal paste is viscous. This enables large-area contact and thus a good cooling effect.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the battery module assembly comprises compression cushions, which compression cushions are arranged at least partially between two battery cells. These compression cushions increase the performance and service life of the battery module assembly, and the sealing arrangement enables a good seal in such a battery module assembly.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the support element comprises a plastic material. Plastic provides a supporting effect, and the area toward the battery module housing can be well sealed.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the foam strip comprises a foam material or a foam rubber material. These materials provide a good sealing effect.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the foam strip is soft and / or compressible. This is advantageous for the sealing effect.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the battery cells are pressed together in a first direction. This increases the service life of the battery module assembly.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the battery module housing comprises a battery module housing part with an opening, which opening is designed to allow the battery cells to be inserted into the battery module housing part along a second direction during manufacture. This facilitates assembly.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the thermal paste is provided on two opposite sides of the battery cells perpendicular to the second direction. This enables advantageous cooling from these two sides.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the thermal paste is provided exclusively on two opposite sides of the battery cells perpendicular to the second direction. This allows the amount of thermal paste to be reduced.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, two sealing arrangements spaced apart in the first direction are provided on each of the two opposite sides to enable the thermal paste to be arranged between these two spaced-apart sealing arrangements, on the one hand, and between the battery cells and the battery module housing part, on the other. The space for the thermal paste can thus be well defined.

[0025] A method for producing a battery module assembly, which battery module assembly comprises a battery module housing, battery cells, thermally conductive paste, and at least one sealing assembly, which battery cells are arranged in the battery module housing, and which thermally conductive paste is arranged at least partially between the battery module housing and the battery cells, which sealing assembly comprises a carrier element, a foam strip, and a sealing material, which foam strip is arranged on the carrier element, and which sealing material is provided at least partially between the foam strip and the battery cells, which sealing assembly is designed to seal along the sealing assembly between the battery cells and the battery module housing in order to prevent or at least reduce the leakage of the thermally conductive paste in this area, comprises the following step: A) The sealing material is applied to the foam strip as a viscous sealant, and the foam strip is pressed against the battery cells with the sealing material. After the sealing material cures, an adhesive bond is created between the foam strip and the battery cells. This improves both the sealing effect and the positioning.

[0026] Further details and advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and illustrated in the drawings, which are in no way to be understood as limiting the invention, as well as from the dependent claims. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention. It shows: Fig. 1 in a side view a sealing arrangement, Fig. 2 in a side view along the arrow II of Fig. 1 the sealing arrangement of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 in a plan view along the arrow III of Fig. 1 the sealing arrangement of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 in a side view a battery module arrangement with the sealing arrangement of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 in a sectional view along the section line V of Fig. 4 the battery module arrangement of Fig. 4 with cooling plates, and Fig. 6 in a sectional view along the section line VI of Fig. 4 the battery module arrangement of Fig. 4.

[0027] In the following, identical or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols and are usually described only once. The description builds on each figure to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a sealing arrangement 30 from the side, Fig. 2 shows the sealing arrangement 30 in the direction of arrow II of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 shows the sealing arrangement 30 in the direction of arrow III of Fig. 1.

[0029] The sealing arrangement 30 has a carrier element 32, a foam strip 34 and a sealing material 36.

[0030] The foam strip 34 is arranged on the carrier element 32 and preferably glued thereto.

[0031] The sealing material 36 is preferably provided on the side of the foam strip facing away from the carrier element 32.

[0032] The carrier element 32 preferably comprises a plastic and preferably enables a carrying function for the foam strip 34.

[0033] The foam strip 34 preferably comprises a foam material or a foam rubber material.

[0034] The foam strip 34 is preferably soft and / or compressible.

[0035] The foam strip 34 is preferably made of PE foam. This is a chemically cross-linked polyethylene foam. It is flexible and elastic.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment, the sealing material 36 is applied as a viscous sealant to the foam strip 34. The form of the application can be described as a bead.

[0037] The sealing material 36 is preferably designed as an adhesive. A particularly suitable adhesive is an MS polymer adhesive. MS polymers are silane-modified polyether-based polymers. They react with atmospheric moisture or a booster, creating a strong adhesive bond. Other adhesives are also possible.

[0038] In the cured state, the sealing material 36 preferably has at least partially an adhesive connection or an adhesive bond to the foam strip 34.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a side view of a battery module arrangement 20 with two sealing arrangements 30B, 30D corresponding to Fig. 1.

[0040] The battery module assembly 20 has a battery module housing 21, battery cells 41, compression cushions 42, an upper sealing assembly 30B and a lower sealing assembly 30D.

[0041] The battery cells 41 are arranged in the battery module housing 21 as a battery cell stack 40.

[0042] The battery cells 41 are pressed together in a first direction 71.

[0043] Fig. 5 shows a sectional view along the section line V of Fig. 4 the battery module arrangement 20 of Fig. 4. Arrow IV shows the direction of view of the Fig. 4. In the exemplary embodiment, temperature control plates 91, 92 are provided on the top and bottom of the battery module arrangement 20 in order to enable cooling or heating of the battery module arrangement 20.

[0044] The battery module housing 21 has a battery module housing part 22 with an opening 24. The opening 24 is designed to enable the battery cells 41 or the battery cell stack 40 to be inserted into the battery module housing part 22 along a direction 72 during manufacture.

[0045] The battery cells 41 are interconnected via a schematically indicated interconnection arrangement 43 or 44.

[0046] At the top, on one side 81 of the battery cell stack 40, two spaced-apart sealing arrangements 30A, 30B are provided, and at the bottom, on one side 82 of the battery cell stack 40, two spaced-apart sealing arrangements 30C, 30D are provided.

[0047] The sealing arrangements 30A, 30B and 30C, 30D are each preferably spaced apart from one another in a direction 72.

[0048] The foam strips 34 are between the battery module housing 21 and the battery cells 41 compared to the relaxed form of Fig. 1 is compressed, thereby improving the sealing effect.

[0049] The sealing material 36 is provided at least partially between the foam strip 34 and the battery cells 41.

[0050] The sealing material 36 of the sealing arrangements 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D has at least a partial adhesive bond to at least one of the battery cells 41. This provides a good seal in this area.

[0051] Thermally conductive paste 50 is provided in a space 52 between the two spaced-apart sealing arrangements 30 on the one hand and between the battery cells 41 and the battery module housing part 72 on the other hand.

[0052] The sealing arrangements 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D are designed to seal along the respective sealing arrangement 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D between the battery cells 41 and the battery module housing 21 in order to prevent or at least reduce leakage of the thermal paste 50 in this area.

[0053] The space 52 is preferably a closed space 52, so the thermal paste 50 does not flow out of the space 52 or only flows out in small quantities.

[0054] Through the pressing (cf. Fig. 4) of the battery cells 41, it is usually additionally ensured that the thermal paste 50 cannot flow between the battery cells.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiment, the thermal paste 50 is thus provided on two opposite sides 81, 82 of the battery cells 41 and preferably perpendicular to the second direction 72.

[0056] This is advantageous because the temperature control plates 91, 92 are provided on these sides. The thermal paste 50 is comparatively expensive, and it is therefore preferably used primarily or exclusively in those areas where good heat transfer between the battery cells 41 and the battery module housing 21 is required.

[0057] Thermal paste 50 is viscous and belongs to the thermal interface materials (TIM). A paste is a solid-liquid mixture and often has a high solid particle content. Viscosity can be low or high viscosity and depends on the temperature of the thermal paste.

[0058] The sealing material 36 is preferably applied to the foam strip 34 as a viscous sealing compound during production, and the foam strip 34 is pressed with the sealing material 36 against the battery cells 41 in order to effect an adhesive connection between the foam strip 34 and the battery cells 41 after the sealing material 36 has hardened.

[0059] The thermal paste 50 can be filled into the spaces 52 after the sealing assemblies 30A, 30C and before the sealing assemblies 30B, 30D are inserted into the battery module housing part 22, or the thermal paste 50 can be filled into the spaces 52 through a closable opening provided for this purpose.

[0060] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view along section line VI of Fig. 4 the battery module arrangement of Fig. 4. Cutting lines V for the Fig. 5 are marked.

[0061] The extent of the space 52 between the sealing arrangements 30A, 30B is shown.

[0062] Naturally, various variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0063] The battery module housing 21 can, for example, have a corresponding opening 24 on two opposite sides, and as a result, two cell stacks 40 can be inserted into the battery module housing 21 from opposite directions.

[0064] The sealing arrangements 30A, 30C can be omitted if the area of ​​the circuit arrangement 43 is also filled with thermal paste 50 or if another seal is provided in this area. 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] DE 10 2021 109 282 A1

[0002] DE 10 2016 217895 A1

[0003] DE 10 2018 208 070 A1

[0004] EP 3 754 744 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Battery module arrangement (20) comprising a battery module housing (21), battery cells (41), thermal paste (50) and at least one sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D), which battery cells (41) are arranged in the battery module housing (21) and which thermal paste (50) is arranged at least in sections between the battery module housing (21) and the battery cells (41), which sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) comprises a carrier element (32), a foam strip (34) and a sealing material (36), which foam strip (34) is arranged on the carrier element (32), and which sealing material (36) is provided at least partially between the foam strip (34) and the battery cells (41), which sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) is designed to seal along the sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) between the battery cells (41) and the battery module housing (21) in order to prevent or at least reduce leakage of the thermal paste (50) in this area. [2] Battery module arrangement (20) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) is designed to form, together with the battery module housing (21) and the battery cells (41), a closed space (52) for the thermal paste (50). [3] Battery module arrangement (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing material (36) is designed as an adhesive, in particular as an MS polymer adhesive. [4] Battery module arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing material (36) at least partially has an adhesive connection to at least one of the battery cells (41). [5] Battery module arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sealing material (36) has at least partially an adhesive connection to the foam strip (34). [6] Battery module arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the thermally conductive paste (50) is viscous. [7] Battery module arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises compression cushions (42), which compression cushions (42) are arranged at least partially between two battery cells (41). [8] Battery module arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier element (32) comprises a plastic. [9] Battery module assembly (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foam strip (34) comprises a foam material or a foam rubber material. [10] Battery module assembly (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foam strip (34) is soft and compressible. [11] Battery module arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the battery cells (41) are pressed towards one another in a first direction (71). [12] Battery module arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the battery module housing (21) has a battery module housing part (22) with an opening (24), which opening (24) is designed to enable insertion of the battery cells (41) into the battery module housing part (22) along a second direction (72) during manufacture. [13] Battery module arrangement (20) according to claim 12, wherein the thermally conductive paste (50) is provided on two mutually opposite sides (81, 82) of the battery cells (41) perpendicular to the second direction (72). [14] Battery module arrangement (20) according to claim 12 or 13 in conjunction with claim 11, in which two sealing arrangements (30A, 30B; 30C, 30D) spaced apart from one another in the first direction are provided on the two mutually opposite sides (81, 82) in order to enable the thermal paste (50) to be arranged between these two spaced-apart sealing arrangements (30A, 30B; 30C, 30D) on the one hand and between the battery cells (41) and the battery module housing part (22) on the other hand. [15] Method for producing a battery module arrangement (20), which battery module arrangement (20) comprises a battery module housing (21), battery cells (41), thermal paste (50) and at least one sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D), which battery cells (41) are arranged in the battery module housing (21) and which thermal paste (50) is arranged at least in sections between the battery module housing (21) and the battery cells (41), which sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) has a carrier element (32), a foam strip (34), and a sealing material (36), which foam strip (34) is arranged on the carrier element (32), and which sealing material (36) is provided at least partially between the foam strip (34) and the battery cells (41), which sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) is designed to seal along the sealing arrangement (30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) between the battery cells (41) and the battery module housing (21) in order to prevent or at least reduce the leakage of the thermal paste (50) in this area, which method comprises the following step: A) The sealing material (36) is applied as a viscous sealing compound to the foam strip (34), and the foam strip (34) is pressed with the sealing material (36) against the battery cells (41) in order to create an adhesive bond between the foam strip (34) and the battery cells (41) after the sealing material (36) has hardened.

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