Intercellular cooling element in double-T profile shape, cooling device, battery and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an inter-cell cooling element (16) for arrangement between two battery cells (14) of a cell stack (12). The intercellular cooling element (16) comprises a first and second outer section (20, 22) and a central section (18) arranged between them with respect to a first direction (z), which together provide a double-T profile shape of the intercellular cooling element (16), wherein the central section (18) is plate-shaped and has at least one integrated cavity (26) through which a coolant can flow, the first and second outer sections (20, 22) each have a first leg (20a, 22a) with a first coupling area (30a, 30a') and a second leg (20b, 22b) with a second coupling area (30b, 30b'), wherein a respective first coupling area (30a, 30a') of a respective first leg (20a, 22a) is connected to a respective second coupling area (30b, 30b') of a respective second leg (20b,22b) a second inter-cell cooling element (16) designed in the same way as the inter-cell cooling element (16) is detachably coupled in a non-destructive manner, forming a cuboid receiving space (36) for receiving a battery cell (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an inter-cell cooling element for placement between two battery cells of a cell stack. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a cooling device, a battery for a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle.

[0002] The cooling of prismatic battery cells in a battery system, especially for motor vehicles, is usually achieved today via a cooling plate located at the top and / or bottom, which is either fixed to the module or part of the overall system. This generally means that only a small portion of the cell surface is directly connected to the cooling system. The cooling elements serve only the cooling function and do not perform any other functions, which makes the battery system complex and expensive. Furthermore, the system's repairability is limited to replacing the modules. It would therefore be desirable to increase the performance of today's cooling systems, and in particular, to expand their range of functions.

[0003] DE 10 2014 221 493 A1 describes a motor vehicle battery module with at least two cells arranged side by side to form a battery pack, as well as two pressure plates located on opposite sides of the battery pack and at least one spacer element having a first contact surface via which the at least one spacer element bears against a side surface of an adjacent cell. The pressure plates are arranged such that the two cells are located between the two pressure plates. Furthermore, the contact surface is smaller than the side surface of the adjacent cell adjacent to the spacer element, so that part of the side surface is unsupported. The force transmission during pressing of the battery cells can accordingly occur at the edges of the adjacent battery cell. A cavity can be formed between the spacer element and the battery cell. This allows the battery cell to expand into the cavity during operation.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an inter-cell cooling element, a cooling device, a battery and a motor vehicle which enable the most efficient cooling of battery cells and which also allow a battery module or battery modules of a battery to be provided in the most efficient and compact manner possible.

[0005] This object is achieved by an inter-cell cooling element, a cooling device, a battery, and a motor vehicle having the features according to the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0006] An inter-cell cooling element according to the invention for arrangement between two battery cells of a cell stack has a first and second outer section and a central section arranged between the first and second outer section with respect to a first direction, which central section together provide a double-T profile shape of the inter-cell cooling element, wherein the central section is plate-shaped and is formed with at least one integrated cavity through which a coolant can flow, wherein the first and second outer sections each have a first leg with a first coupling region and a second leg with a second coupling region, and wherein the inter-cell cooling element is formed in such a way thatthat a respective first coupling region of a respective first leg can be coupled to a respective second coupling region of a respective second leg of a second inter-cell cooling element of the same design as the inter-cell cooling element, forming a cuboid-shaped receiving space for receiving a battery cell in a non-destructive, reversible and detachable manner.

[0007] The inter-cell cooling element, and in particular its double-T profile shape, as well as the corresponding design of the coupling regions, advantageously enables multiple functions to be integrated very advantageously into one component, namely the inter-cell cooling element, and, moreover, provides a non-destructively reversibly detachable coupling option between the inter-cell cooling elements. This, in turn, provides a non-destructively reversible disassembly option for an entire battery module. If, for example, several of the described inter-cell cooling elements are lined up in a row and coupled to one another as intended, this results in multiple receiving regions arranged next to one another in a second direction, in particular cuboid-shaped receiving regions, for the respective reception of prismatic battery cells.To provide a battery module, for example, an inter-cell cooling element can first be provided, into the receptacle of which a prismatic battery cell is inserted, which is formed by the central section and the two first legs of the two outer sections or the two second legs of the two outer sections, then a further inter-cell cooling element can be connected to the first inter-cell cooling element, so that the battery cell is now received in the receiving space formed by the two inter-cell cooling elements, then a further prismatic battery cell can be inserted into the receptacle provided by the second inter-cell cooling element, again a further inter-cell cooling element can be added, and so on, until the desired length of a battery module in the stacking direction is reached.On the one hand, a cooling option is advantageously provided between each two adjacent battery cells of such a cell stack, since the central section of the inter-cell cooling element comprises a cavity through which a coolant can flow. This advantageously allows the largest surface areas of prismatic battery cells to be cooled, enabling very efficient cooling of such a cell stack. On the other hand, a clamping option for such a cell stack is also provided at the same time. Thanks to the described coupling option between the inter-cell cooling elements, the respective battery cells can be accommodated in the respective receiving spaces in a stable and clamped manner. An additional clamping frame or similar is then no longer required or can be designed much more simply and, for example, configured for significantly lower tensile forces.The reversible coupling option between the inter-cell cooling elements also makes it possible to replace a single battery cell without having to remove the remaining battery cells of such a cell stack from the respective receptacles in which they are arranged. This is made possible by the reversible coupling option in combination with the bracing option provided by the inter-cell cooling element. If a battery cell that has already expanded over the course of its service life were to be released from its bracing, it can no longer be re-braced without causing damage. The invention, however, makes it possible to remove individual cells from a stack without having to simultaneously release the bracing of the remaining cells.In the event of a repair, this makes it possible not only to replace entire battery modules, but also, for example, individual cells, which is particularly economical.

[0008] The first direction preferably corresponds to a vertical direction of the vehicle relative to a preferred installation position of the inter-cell cooling element in a motor vehicle. The central section of the inter-cell cooling element can, for example, have a first plate providing a first wall and a second plate providing a second wall, wherein the at least one cavity through which the coolant, in particular a cooling liquid, flows, and through which it flows in particular during normal operation, is formed between the first and second walls. The first and second walls of the central section can be supported relative to one another via support elements.

[0009] Such support elements or support points can be provided at specific points or, for example, can be elongated and extend, in particular in a straight line, in a second direction perpendicular to the first. These support points can thus also be designed as support webs that spatially separate several cavities forming individual flow channels.

[0010] The two outer sections directly adjoin the first section in and opposite to the first direction. These two outer sections can also be essentially plate-shaped and are essentially perpendicular to the central section. Accordingly, the two outer sections can run essentially parallel to one another and be connected to one another and spaced from one another by the central section. The first outer section comprises two legs, namely a first leg which projects in a second direction from the central section or in relation to the central section, in particular perpendicularly, and a second leg which projects opposite to the second direction from the central section or in relation to the central section, in particular likewise perpendicularly. The same applies to the second outer section.

[0011] The inter-cell cooling element can essentially be formed from any desired material, in particular a metal and / or plastic. The inter-cell cooling element can also be made partly from metal and partly from a plastic. For example, the three sections of the inter-cell cooling element mentioned, namely the central section, the first and the second outer sections, can be made entirely from a metallic material or, alternatively, all entirely from a plastic material or a fibre-reinforced plastic material, or some of the sections can be made from a metal and the others from a plastic, or vice versa. For example, the central section can be made from a metallic material, for example from aluminium, and the two outer sections can be made from plastic.In this case, during the production of the inter-cell cooling element, the two outer sections can be molded onto the central section as plastic components using an injection molding process. A corresponding method for producing an inter-cell cooling element, in particular one according to this embodiment, can thus also be considered part of the invention.

[0012] If the inter-cell cooling element is used as intended in a cell stack, the above-mentioned second direction preferably corresponds to the stacking direction in which the plurality of battery cells of the cell stack are arranged next to one another. The legs of the outer sections can then come to rest on a respective top and bottom side of an adjacent battery cell, while the central section, with its two outer surfaces, borders on corresponding side surfaces of the at least two adjacent battery cells. With respect to the intended installation position of the inter-cell cooling element in a cell stack, the central section is located in a gap formed in the stacking direction between two battery cells. The parts of the inter-cell cooling element located outside this gap accordingly represent the first and second outer sections.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a respective first coupling region of a respective first leg is designed to establish a mechanical coupling, in particular a positive coupling, with a respective second coupling region of a respective second leg of a second intercell cooling element of similar design to the intercell cooling element. Providing a mechanical, in particular positive coupling option is particularly advantageous in order to be able to release such similarly designed intercell cooling elements from their coupled state in a non-destructive and reversible manner. It would also be conceivable to use an adhesive to support or solely provide the coupling between the intercell cooling elements.In particular, adhesives are known from the prior art that, under certain conditions, for example, upon application of an electric field or upon heating, lose their adhesive properties, especially suddenly, and thus also provide a non-destructively reversibly detachable coupling option. Nevertheless, it is still preferable to provide the respective coupling areas of the respective legs of a respective inter-cell cooling element with a mechanical coupling option to form a positive connection to the adjacent inter-cell cooling element.

[0014] In the simplest case, such a reversible coupling option, especially a mechanical coupling option, can be provided by a screw connection. However, there are also numerous other coupling variants, which are explained in more detail below.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the respective first and second legs are formed with locking elements, in particular sawtooth locking elements, in the respective first and second coupling regions. The locking elements of a respective first leg can be designed to complement those of a respective second leg. This advantageously enables the locking elements of the first leg to be coupled to the corresponding locking elements of a second leg of an identically constructed second intercell cooling element by means of a locking mechanism.A design with sawtooth locking elements is particularly advantageous because, on the one hand, this allows for very rapid coupling of several inter-cell cooling elements to one another to form a battery module. On the other hand, the sawtooth structure, which can be designed to be translationally invariant, particularly in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second, enables easy release of the inter-cell cooling elements perpendicular to their preferred clamping direction. In other words, to provide a battery module, the inter-cell cooling elements can be pushed toward one another in the stacking direction, whereby their respective locking lugs or locking elements, or sawtooth locking elements, engage with one another.If two inter-cell cooling elements that are locked together are moved in opposite directions to each other with respect to the third direction, the sawtooth locking elements can also easily slide onto each other, whereby the coupling between the two inter-cell cooling elements can be easily released again.

[0016] Another major advantage of designing the coupling areas with locking elements, i.e., a locking mechanism, is that additional elements such as screws or similar components are eliminated. This greatly simplifies assembly and also eliminates the need for additional components.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and second coupling regions are designed such that, by coupling the first coupling regions of the inter-cell cooling element to the second coupling regions of the inter-cell cooling element, tensile forces in a second direction can be absorbed without releasing the coupling, and the coupling can be released by displacing the inter-cell cooling element and the second inter-cell cooling element in a third direction, which is different from the second direction. This can be achieved by a suitable geometric design of the coupling regions or the coupling mechanism. In addition to the locking elements described above, such coupling and decoupling is also made possible by other variants, for example, interlocking the respective coupling regions or the like.

[0018] The second direction preferably corresponds to the stacking direction relative to the intended installation position of the inter-cell cooling element in a cell stack. This has the great advantage that multiple inter-cell cooling elements and their coupling to one another can simultaneously provide bracing for the cells or the cell stack. The coupling mechanisms described advantageously make it possible to absorb tensile forces in the stacking direction. Consequently, the inter-cell cooling elements are also suitable as clamping elements. Furthermore, displacement in a different direction, namely the third direction, enables easy release of the coupling between the inter-cell cooling elements.Since clamping forces usually only have to be absorbed in one direction in a battery module, namely the stacking direction, a non-destructive, reversible coupling option can be realized in a very clever way.

[0019] According to a further very advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first coupling regions comprises a pin, and at least one of the first coupling regions and at least one of the second coupling regions comprises a respective opening. The pin can be inserted into the opening of the first coupling region of the inter-cell cooling element and the opening of the second coupling region of the second, similar inter-cell cooling element to establish a positive connection between the first coupling region of the inter-cell cooling element and the second coupling region of the second, similar inter-cell cooling element. Adjacent inter-cell cooling elements can also be positively coupled to one another by inserting a corresponding pin into the openings provided in the two legs of two identical inter-cell cooling elements to be coupled to one another.According to a further very advantageous embodiment of the invention, the opening in the first and second legs of the inter-cell cooling element, into which the corresponding pin can be inserted, extends in the third direction. Significantly more installation space is available in the third direction than, for example, in the first direction. The respective openings can be designed as through-openings, for example, holes, or as semi-open openings, for example, similar to a groove in a surface of the respective outer section.

[0020] Furthermore, the described variant with the pin and the openings can be used in addition to the locking mechanism described above, for example to make the coupling between the individual intercell cooling elements even more stable. Furthermore, the design with the pin and the openings can be implemented not only for one outer section, but optionally also for both outer sections of the intercell cooling element. In other words, both first legs and both second legs of an identical intercell cooling element can be provided with corresponding openings or grooves into which a corresponding pin can be inserted in order to create a positive connection to the neighboring intercell cooling element. The neighboring intercell cooling element represents the intercell cooling element which, when used as intended orArrangement of the inter-cell cooling element in a battery module is arranged in one of the maximum two adjacent spaces formed between a battery cell directly adjacent to the inter-cell cooling element and the battery cell next to the adjacent battery cell in or opposite to the stacking direction.

[0021] Furthermore, the inter-cell cooling element can have connections in and opposite to the third direction for coupling to a coolant supply line and for coupling to a coolant discharge line. This advantageously makes it possible to supply a coolant to the central section on one side, which, after passing through the central section, in particular its cavity, can be led out of the central section and discharged on the other side of the central section relative to the third direction.

[0022] In addition, at least one of the two legs of the first outer section and one of the two legs of the second outer section can have a seal. This also allows a fluid-tight connection to the adjacent inter-cell cooling element to be established. This allows the interconnected inter-cell cooling elements to simultaneously provide a fluid-tight housing function for the battery cells accommodated therein. This provides the accommodated battery cells with particularly good protection against environmental influences.

[0023] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a cooling device for a battery, comprising a plurality of intercell cooling elements according to the invention or intercell cooling elements according to embodiments of the invention. The plurality of intercell cooling elements comprise a first and a second intercell cooling element, wherein the first coupling regions of the first legs of the first intercell cooling element are coupled to the second coupling regions of the second legs of the second intercell cooling element.

[0024] The advantages described for the intercell cooling element according to the invention and its embodiments apply equally to the cooling device according to the invention. The multiple intercell cooling elements of the cooling device are preferably designed identically to one another. This enables particularly simple production, assembly, and handling. The coupling options already described above are suitable for coupling the multiple intercell cooling elements. Numerous other coupling options are also conceivable.

[0025] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a battery for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of intercell cooling elements according to the invention or intercell cooling elements according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. It is further preferred that the battery comprises a first cell stack with a plurality of battery cells, in particular prismatic battery cells, arranged one inside the other in a stacking direction.In addition, the plurality of inter-cell cooling elements can in turn comprise a first and a second inter-cell cooling element which are coupled to one another to form the cuboid-shaped receiving space, wherein one of the battery cells of the cell stack is arranged in the receiving space, in particular such that a first side surface of the central section of the first inter-cell cooling element abuts a first housing side of the battery cell received in the receiving space and a second side surface of the central section of the second inter-cell cooling element abuts a second housing side of the battery cell received in the receiving space, said second housing side being opposite the first housing side.

[0026] Thus, by coupling two inter-cell cooling elements, a receiving space can advantageously be provided that is optimally adapted to the geometry of a prismatic battery cell. The receiving space formed between the inter-cell cooling elements can also be adapted in terms of its height in the first direction to the height of the battery cell to be accommodated or accommodated therein. This allows for a particularly space-efficient arrangement. Accordingly, the respective legs of the outer sections of the inter-cell cooling elements can also rest directly on the respective upper and lower sides of the cells accommodated in the respective receiving spaces. The cooling effect, which primarily emanates from the central section of a respective inter-cell cooling element, can accordingly also be transferred to the outer sections and thus advantageously also cool the upper and lower sides of the respective battery cells.

[0027] In principle, it is preferred for the battery to comprise numerous battery cells and a correspondingly numerous inter-cell cooling elements. Considering, for example, a cell stack with a specific number of battery cells, a number of inter-cell cooling elements reduced by 1 can be provided. This makes it possible to provide such an inter-cell cooling element in each space between two battery cells arranged adjacent to one another in the stacking direction. In order to also cool the cell stack on the outside, both end-to-end and in the opposite direction to the stacking direction, appropriate end cooling elements can be provided. These can be configured similarly to that described for the inter-cell cooling elements and, for example, can comprise only a central section and, of the first and second outer sections of an inter-cell cooling element, only the first legs or only the second legs.The coupling options of such an end cooling element with the adjacent inter-cell cooling element can be designed in the same way as described for the coupling options of the inter-cell cooling elements with each other.

[0028] The battery cells can be designed, for example, as lithium-ion cells. Furthermore, it is preferred that the battery cells be prismatic battery cells. The battery can be designed, for example, as a high-voltage battery. Accordingly, the battery can also have multiple battery modules, each comprising a cell stack, which in turn each comprises multiple battery cells.

[0029] In this case, it represents a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention if the battery comprises a plurality of cell stacks, each with a plurality of battery cells arranged next to one another in a stacking direction, wherein the plurality of cell stacks are arranged next to one another in a third direction which is perpendicular to the stacking direction, wherein a plurality of battery cells are accommodated next to one another in the third direction in the receiving space formed between the first and second inter-cell cooling elements. In other words, a plurality of battery cells from different cell stacks can also be accommodated in the receiving space. This is possible due to the advantageous double-T profile structure of the inter-cell cooling elements. These can therefore be of any length in the third direction.The inter-cell cooling elements can therefore, for example, be designed with regard to their length in the third direction to match the width of a single prismatic battery cell or to match the width of several battery cells arranged next to one another in the third direction. This allows the battery cells of different cell stacks arranged next to one another in the third direction to be arranged much closer together, which saves installation space and also simplifies the interconnection of the cells. This also simplifies the connection of the coolant supply and coolant discharge for the supply and discharge of the coolant to and from the inter-cell cooling elements. This embodiment is also particularly advantageous if the cell poles of a cell are not arranged on those sides of the battery cells that face the legs of the inter-cell cooling elements, but rather on the open sides.

[0030] Accordingly, it represents a further very advantageous embodiment of the invention if a respective battery cell has two pole terminals that are arranged on opposite sides of a respective battery cell, in particular on those cell sides that delimit the respective battery cell in and opposite to the third direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction and in particular perpendicular to the second direction, i.e. perpendicular to the stacking direction. This also makes it significantly easier to accommodate multiple battery cells in a receiving space in the third direction. This also makes it possible to dispense with special cutouts in the individual legs of the outer sections of the respective inter-cell cooling elements, which would otherwise have to be provided for the cell poles.The cooling of the cells is also more efficient, since the contact surface of the inter-cell cooling elements is significantly larger without such cutouts than if cutouts were provided.

[0031] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a battery according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0032] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0033] The invention also includes further developments of the cooling device according to the invention, the battery according to the invention, and the motor vehicle according to the invention, which have features as already described in connection with the further developments of the intercell cooling element according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the cooling device according to the invention, the battery according to the invention, and the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

[0034] The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also encompasses implementations that each comprise a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments are described as mutually exclusive.

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Shown are: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a battery with several intercell cooling elements according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic detailed view of a part of the coupling mechanism between two inter-cell cooling elements according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an opening process for non-destructive release of the coupling mechanism from Fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 a schematic detailed view of the coupling region between two inter-cell cooling elements according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the view from Fig. 4 during the release process for releasing the coupling according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 a schematic representation of the coupling regions of two inter-cell cooling elements in the uncoupled state according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 a schematic representation of the coupling areas from Fig. 6 in the coupled state according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of a battery during a decoupling process between two inter-cell cooling elements for exchanging a single battery cell according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a battery with inter-cell cooling elements according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 10 a perspective view of a battery with several cell stacks and inter-cell cooling elements, in whose receiving areas several battery cells are arranged next to one another, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0036] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another, each of which also develops the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0037] In the figures, the same reference symbols designate elements with the same function.

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a battery 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The battery 10 has a cell stack 12 with a plurality of battery cells 14 arranged next to one another in a stacking direction x. The battery 10 also comprises a plurality of inter-cell cooling elements 16 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The inter-cell cooling elements 16 are each designed in the form of a double-T profile. The inter-cell cooling elements 16 are therefore sometimes referred to simply as T-profile 16 or profile 16 below. For the sake of clarity, such an inter-cell cooling element 16 can be divided into three sections: a central section 18, a first outer section 20, and a second outer section 22. The central section 18 is plate-shaped, and the plate plane of this central section 18 is aligned parallel to the yz plane of the illustrated coordinate system.When such an inter-cell cooling element 16 is arranged as intended in a cell stack 12, the central section 18 is located in a gap 24 between two adjacent cells 14. In addition, the central section 18 comprises at least one cavity 26 through which a coolant can flow, in this example three such cavities 26. These cavities 26 can be spatially separated from one another by support elements or support webs 28, which are also part of the central section 18. In this example, the central section 18 or its cavities 26 can be flowed through by a coolant in and / or against the y-direction. For this purpose, the central section 18 has two plate-shaped walls 18a, 18b, which are also oriented parallel to the illustrated yz-plane and between which the gaps 26 are formed. The support webs 28 support the two walls 18a, 18b against one another.

[0039] The first outer section 20 directly adjoins the central section 18 in the z-direction and extends essentially at a right angle relative to the central section 18. This first outer section 20 lies outside the gap 24 between the adjacent cells 14. Furthermore, the first outer section 20 can be solid, meaning it does not need to include any cavities or the like.

[0040] The second outer section 22 can also be formed. This directly adjoins the central section 18, opposite to the z-direction shown, and is also oriented at a right angle relative to it. A part of the respective outer sections 20, 22 abuts the respective upper sides 14a and the respective lower sides 14b of the adjacent cells 14. Furthermore, a respective cell 14 can also have a front side 14c and a rear side 14d. The front and rear sides 14c, 14d can also be defined conversely. The central section 18 abuts with its first wall 18a against the rear side 14d of an adjacent cell 14, and with its second wall 18b against the front side 14c of the other, adjacent cell 14.

[0041] The inter-cell cooling elements 16 can all be designed identically, i.e., manufactured as identical parts. In particular, this means that they have at least the same geometry.

[0042] T-profiles in the form of inter-cell cooling elements 16 can thus be positioned between the battery cells 14 in a battery 10, for example, a traction battery of a vehicle. These T-profiles incorporate a cooling function. Thus, the cooling of the battery cells 14 can be achieved via a cooler provided by these inter-cell cooling elements 16, which can be applied to the side surfaces, i.e., the respective front and rear sides 14c, 14d of the cells 14, instead of (only) the lower and upper surfaces, i.e., the bottom and top sides 14a, 14b of the cells 14. However, another particularly significant advantage of these inter-cell cooling elements 16 is that they have a connecting mechanism for coupling the individual inter-cell cooling elements 16 to one another, which can be reversibly and non-destructively removed.The inter-cell cooling elements can thus be assembled into a stack or battery, with the cells 14 located between the inter-cell cooling elements 16. In the event of repair, the profiles, i.e., the inter-cell cooling elements 16, can be opened again, and individual cells 14 can be replaced. This does not relax other aged cells 14 of the battery system or battery 10 that have already expanded. This would make reuse of the cells impossible. Some of the possible connection mechanisms that can be implemented using such inter-cell cooling elements 16 are described below as examples.

[0043] The two outer sections 20, 22 can be further subdivided into legs. The first outer section 20 thus has a first leg 20a and a second leg 20b. The second outer section 22 also comprises a first leg 22a and a second leg 22b. The first leg 20a of the first outer section 20 is opposite the first leg 22a of the second outer section 22 in the z-direction, and the second legs 20b, 22b of the two outer sections 20, 22 are also opposite each other in the z-direction. Each of these legs 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b comprises a corresponding coupling region 30a, 30b, 30a', 30b'. In particular, the first leg 20a of the first outer section 20 provides a first coupling region 30a and the second leg 20b of the first outer section 20 provides a second coupling region 30b.The first leg 22a of the second outer section 22 comprises a first coupling region 30a', and the second leg 22b of the second outer section 22 also comprises a second coupling region 30b'. The first coupling regions 30a, 30a' of the two outer sections 20, 22 and the two second coupling regions 30b, 30b' of the two outer sections 20, 22 can, in principle, be designed according to the same connection principle or with the same coupling mechanism. However, it is also conceivable to implement different coupling mechanisms for the coupling regions 30a, 30b of the first outer section 20, on the one hand, and the coupling regions 30a', 30b' of the second outer section 22, on the other.

[0044] It is particularly advantageous to design the coupling areas with a locking mechanism, such as the one used in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is shown schematically.

[0045] Fig. 2 schematically shows the functional principle of such a locking mechanism in a connection area B, for example as a detailed view of a part of the battery 10 from Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 2 shows, in particular, the functional principle for coupling two adjacent inter-cell cooling elements 16 via their respective legs 20a, 20b facing each other with respect to the x-direction. However, the same coupling principle can also be implemented analogously for the other two legs 22a, 22b of the second outer section 22.

[0046] The respective coupling areas 30a, 30b of the legs 20a, 20b are designed with corresponding locking elements, in particular sawtooth locking elements 32a, 32b. These can engage with each other, as shown in Fig. 2. The saw teeth 32a, 32b are thus formed with a complementary geometry. To lock these sawtooth locking elements 32a, 32b, the inter-cell cooling elements 16 can be moved toward each other with respect to the x-direction, as illustrated by the arrows 34. In the locked state, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the connection thus provided between the two legs 20a, 20b can absorb corresponding tensile forces in the x-direction. This connection mechanism is therefore very well suited to the resulting receiving space 36 (see Figure 2). Fig. 1) and to maintain them in a tensioned state with respect to the x-direction, and in particular to absorb swelling forces. It is conceivable that a battery 10 provided in this way and tensioned by means of the corresponding connection of the inter-cell cooling elements 16 is additionally surrounded by a tensioning band or similar to stabilize the cell assembly and its tensioning. Such an additional tensioning mechanism can be implemented independently of the type of coupling between the inter-cell cooling elements 16.

[0047] Furthermore, sealing elements 38 can also be provided between the coupling areas or generally at any point on the contact surfaces of the respective legs 20a, 20b, which are in contact with one another when the associated intercell cooling elements 16 are coupled to one another. These sealing elements can be in the form of sealing tracks or sealing lines extending in the y-direction over the entire length of the respective outer sections 20, 22, for example. In order to ensure that the profiles 16 are sealed after assembly, a seal 38 can also be inserted. This allows the profiles, i.e. the intercell cooling elements 16, to be designed to be sealed to the outside when locked together or generally when coupled to one another, so that, for example, additional cover or base plates of a battery housing are not required. The sealing elements 38 provided in the respective receiving areas 36 (cf. Fig. 1) are then additionally protected by the inter-cell cooling elements 16 from environmental influences, the ingress of liquids, dust or dirt. As a result of the outer sections 20, 22 being locked together or generally coupled together, a fluid-tight plate rests on the top and bottom of the cell stack 12, which is formed on the top side by the coupled first outer sections 20 and on the bottom side by the corresponding second outer sections 22. The connections for the cooling channels 26 can be provided, for example, on the end faces of the inter-cell cooling elements 16 relative to the y-direction. In this area too, i.e. to the side of the cell stack 12 in and opposite to the y-direction, a corresponding seal can be provided, for example by a corresponding side plate with connections or the like.

[0048] As in Fig. 2, the profiles 16 can be designed such that each profile 16 has a type of toothing 32a, 32b above and below the cells 14, which engages with the other profile 16. Each profile 16 therefore contains a toothing geometry 32a, 32b, which is on top on one side with respect to the z-direction and on the opposite side is on the bottom. Thus, the same profile 16 can always be used, i.e., the inter-cell cooling elements can all have the same geometric design. During assembly of the battery 10, one profile 16 engages the next profile 16 via the toothing 32a in a form-fitting manner. Disassembly can then take place, for example, in the direction of the drawing plane, i.e., in the y-direction, by pushing the profiles 16 apart along their profiles, as will be shown later, for example, in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 described.

[0049] The toothing 32a, 32b can be designed in different geometries, e.g. semicircular.

[0050] This allows several profiles 16 to be mounted one behind the other in a form-fitting manner. In the event of repairs, the profiles 16 can be opened again and individual cells 14 replaced.

[0051] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of another such possible opening process. In particular, the coupling area B is again illustrated, as it is also shown in Fig. 2. In this example, a tool 40 can be used to pry open the coupling between the inter-cell cooling elements 16 in the region of their respective first and second legs 20a, 20b. To facilitate the use of such a tool 40, for example, as shown here as an example for the second leg 20b, it can be designed with a corresponding recess 42 to facilitate engagement of the tool 40. The second legs 22b of the second outer sections 22 can then also be designed correspondingly. The free region 42 can be provided in a simple manner, for example, by making the leg with the outer coupling region, in this example the second leg 20b, with the outer coupling region 30b, somewhat shorter than the leg 20a with the coupling region 30a located below it with respect to the z-direction.

[0052] The toothing 32a, 32b, which serves as a locking mechanism for the double-T profile provided by the respective inter-cell cooling elements 16, also has the great advantage that the individual sawtooth locking elements 32a, 32b can provide small increments, i.e., locking lugs with, for example, a short length in the x-direction. This also makes it possible to lock two inter-cell cooling elements 16 together in correspondingly small increments in the x-direction. This, in turn, enables tolerance compensation in the x-direction.

[0053] Another possibility for disassembling such a locking mechanism, as an alternative to using a tool 40, is to displace the respective inter-cell cooling elements 16 relative to one another in the y-direction shown. This sawtooth structure 32a, 32b is designed in the form of a profile with respect to the y-direction, i.e., it is invariant with respect to displacement in or against the y-direction. In other words, every cross-section through this coupling region B perpendicular to the y-direction is the same. Apart from frictional resistance, there is therefore no resistance with respect to such a displacement in or against the y-direction of the two inter-cell cooling elements 16 relative to one another. This also represents an advantageous possibility for releasing the coupling between the legs 20a, 20b.

[0054] Another very advantageous possibility is to provide the sawtooth structure 32a, 32b only in sections with respect to the y-direction, as is the case, for example, in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is illustrated. Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view from above, i.e. opposite to the z-direction, of the two legs 20a, 20b of two adjacent inter-cell cooling elements 16, and Fig. Figure 5 shows the two legs 20a, 20b during decoupling. In this example, the respective coupling regions 30a, 30b are designed in a comb-like manner. This means that the respective legs 20a, 20b have tooth-like projections that point in or opposite to the illustrated x-direction, respectively, and between which, with respect to the y-direction, either recesses 44 or gaps are formed, or regions with a flat surface and accordingly without a sawtooth structure 32a, 32b are formed. The sawtooth structure 32a, 32b is thus located in the present case only in the tooth-like projections that provide the coupling regions 30a, 30b.In order to decouple the inter-cell cooling elements 16 which are coupled to one another, the two inter-cell cooling elements 16 can first be moved relative to one another in the y-direction until the coupling regions 30a, 30b of the respectively adjacent inter-cell cooling element 16 are positioned in the z-direction above a corresponding recess 44 or a region without a toothed structure 32a, 32b, as this position is shown, for example, in FIG. Fig. 5, and then the inter-cell cooling elements 16 can be moved apart with respect to the x-direction, since their respective sawtooth structures, which in this case are only visible for the first leg 20a of one inter-cell cooling element 16, are no longer coupled to one another. This variant has the great advantage that the two inter-cell cooling elements 16 only have to be moved a short distance relative to one another with respect to the y-direction in order to release the coupling. This therefore does not require much installation space in the y-direction. The arrows 46 illustrate the movement sequence to be carried out with the respective inter-cell cooling elements 16 in order to move them from the coupled state Z1, as in Fig. 4, into the decoupled state Z2, as shown in Fig. 5, and then separate them.

[0055] It is generally also advantageous if the two legs 20a, 20b of adjacent inter-cell cooling elements 16 on one side of the respective central section and the two legs 22a, 22b on the other side of the respective central section overlap in the respective coupling region B with respect to the z-direction, as shown. This means, for example, that a part of the first leg 20a lies above or below a part of the second leg 20b of the adjacent inter-cell cooling element 16 with respect to the z-direction. Such an overlap enables not only coupling by means of locking, but also other advantageous coupling mechanisms, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0056] Fig. 6 shows a further schematic representation of a further coupling option according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It again shows parts of two legs 20a, 20b of two adjacent inter-cell cooling elements 16 in a side view. In this example, the respective coupling regions 30a, 30b are designed with a corresponding hole or a through-opening in the y-direction. This through-opening does not necessarily have to penetrate the entire leg 20a, 20b or the entire inter-cell cooling element 16 in the y-direction, but can, for example, also be designed merely as a recess in the y-direction or opposite to the y-direction. These openings 48 are designed to receive a corresponding pin 30c. To couple the inter-cell cooling elements 16 to one another, they can be moved toward one another with respect to the x-direction until their openings 48 are aligned.The corresponding pin 30c can then be inserted into the openings 48 as a fixing or locking element. The pin is inserted into the openings 48 in the profiles 16 with respect to the y-direction shown. Another variant with such a pin 30c is also shown in . Fig. 1. However, the openings 48' in the respective coupling regions 30a', 30b' of the respective legs 22a, 22b are designed somewhat differently, namely as a type of groove or blind hole that extends in depth with respect to the y-direction and, in this example, is semicircular in cross-section perpendicular to the y-direction. However, other geometries are also possible. In this example, the legs 22a, 22b do not have to overlap in or with respect to the y-direction, but can overlap in the z-direction, as shown here. The inserted pin 30c also provides a positive connection between the inter-cell cooling elements 16, which prevents movement of the inter-cell cooling elements 16 in and against the y-direction.

[0057] A positive connection by means of such a pin 48, 48' can generally also be provided in addition to the described locking option. Furthermore, various other connection options are also conceivable for coupling the intercell cooling elements 16 to one another, preferably mechanically, and above all, in a non-destructive, reversibly detachable manner.

[0058] This reversible coupling option and the type of design of the individual inter-cell cooling elements 16 now advantageously makes it possible, for example in the event of a defect in a battery cell 14, to remove a single such cell 14 from the assembly, as is exemplified in Fig. 8. Here, for example, a defective cell 14 that is to be replaced or has been replaced is additionally designated 14' and shown in dashed lines. After releasing the coupling between the legs 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b of the two intermediate cell cooling elements 16, which form the receiving space 36 with the cell 14' to be replaced, can be released, for example by means of one of the variants described above, and then the two battery parts 10a, 10b of the battery 10 can be moved apart, which is illustrated by the arrows 50, and then the defective cell 14' can be replaced and the two battery parts 10a, 10b can be coupled together again when the replaced cell 14' is located in the intermediate space 36, which is illustrated by the arrows 50'.According to the described concept, for example, a single cell 14' or a cell row, as explained in more detail below, can now advantageously be opened and replaced without relaxing other cells adjacent to the cell being replaced in or opposite the x-direction shown. Consequently, in the event of a defective cell, replacing an entire module with countless cells is not necessary.

[0059] Over their lifetime and during operation, the prismatic cells 14 expand, meaning they bulge and thus exert force on the profiles, i.e., the inter-cell cooling elements 16. Therefore, with previous module concepts, it is not possible to replace individual, defective cells. One would have to depressurize all cells, and after replacement, compress one or more cells back to a certain force level. This is currently not possible without damaging the cells, since relaxed cells cannot be re-tensioned without damage.

[0060] However, in the concept implemented, a single cell 14' or a row of cells can be opened and exchanged without relaxing other cells 14.

[0061] Furthermore, the cells 14 of the battery 10 are preferably designed such that their cell poles 52 are located on opposite sides of the cells 14, in this case a first pole side 14e of the cell and a second pole side 14f opposite this first pole side 14e in the y-direction, which, however, is not visible here. This has the advantage, for example, in contrast to an upper-side arrangement of the cell poles 52, that no corresponding recesses for the poles 52 need to be provided in the corresponding outer sections, for example the upper outer sections 20. Furthermore, the inter-cell cooling elements 16 can be designed with a length in the y-direction that is many times greater than a corresponding length of a respective cell 14.This makes it possible to record not only a single cell 14 in the respective recording areas 36, but a cell row with several cells, which are then located next to each other in the y-direction.

[0062] Fig. 9 shows a schematic and perspective view of a battery 10, according to which only a single battery cell 14 is arranged in each receiving space 36.

[0063] Fig.10, on the other hand, shows a schematic representation of a battery 10 with a plurality of cell stacks 12, which are arranged next to one another in the y-direction, so that a plurality of individual battery cells 14 are also arranged next to one another in the respective receiving spaces 36 in the y-direction. In this example, two battery cells 14 are arranged in each of the receiving spaces 36 formed between the inter-cell cooling elements 16 in the y-direction. However, three, four, etc., cells can also be arranged in this direction, as required. The said profile 16 can therefore accommodate one or more cells 14 one behind the other in terms of its length, i.e. with respect to the y-direction. The inter-cell cooling elements 16 can be easily manufactured with a corresponding length in the y-direction in order to accommodate the required number of cells 14 in the y-direction in a respective receiving space 36.Each double-T profile, i.e., each inter-cell cooling element 16, can be of any length and accommodate any number of cells 14 lengthwise, i.e., in the y-direction. A division into 1, 2, 4, or 6 cells 14 is preferred. In other words, if multiple cells 14 are to be accommodated in a common receiving space 36 in the y-direction, an even number of cells 14 is preferred. This facilitates, for example, the electrical interconnection of the cells 14.

[0064] Overall, the examples show how the invention can provide a battery structure using interlocking double-T profiles as heat sinks. 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 2014 221 493 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Inter-cell cooling element (16) for arrangement between two battery cells (14) of a cell stack (12), characterized by , that - the inter-cell cooling element (16) comprises a first and a second outer section (20, 22) and a central section (18) arranged between the first and the second outer section (20, 22) with respect to a first direction (z), which together provide a double-T profile shape of the inter-cell cooling element (16), - wherein the central portion (18) is plate-shaped and is formed with at least one integrated cavity (26) through which a coolant can flow, - wherein the first and second outer sections (20, 22) each have a first leg (20a, 22a) with a first coupling region (30a, 30a') and a second leg (20b, 22b) with a second coupling region (30b, 30b'), - wherein the inter-cell cooling element (16) is designed such that a respective first coupling region (30a, 30a') of a respective first leg (20a, 22a) can be coupled to a respective second coupling region (30b, 30b') of a respective second leg (20b, 22b) of a second inter-cell cooling element (16) designed in the same way as the inter-cell cooling element (16) in a non-destructive, reversibly detachable manner, thereby forming a cuboid-shaped receiving space (36) for receiving a battery cell (14). [2] Intercell cooling element (16) according to claim 1, characterized bythat a respective first coupling region (30a, 30a') of a respective first leg (20a, 22a) is designed to produce a mechanical coupling, in particular a positive coupling, with a respective second coupling region (30b, 30b') of a respective second leg (20b, 22b) of a second inter-cell cooling element (16) which is designed in the same way as the inter-cell cooling element (16). [3] Intercell cooling element (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the respective first and second legs (20a, 22a; 20b, 22b) in the respective first and second coupling regions (30a, 30a'; 30b, 30b') are formed with locking elements (32a, 32b), in particular sawtooth locking elements (32a, 32b). [4] Intercell cooling element (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first and second coupling regions (30a, 30a'; 30b, 30b') are designed such that by coupling the first coupling regions (30a, 30a') of the inter-cell cooling element (16) to the second coupling regions (30b, 30b') of the inter-cell cooling element (16), tensile forces in a second direction (x) can be absorbed without releasing the coupling, and / or the coupling can be released by displacing the inter-cell cooling element (16) and the second inter-cell cooling element (16) in a third direction (y), which is different from the second direction (z). [5] Intercell cooling element (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one of the first coupling regions (30a, 30a') comprises a pin (30c) and at least one of the first coupling regions (30a, 30a') and at least one of the second coupling regions (30b, 30b') comprises a respective opening (48, 48'), wherein the pin (30c) can be inserted into the opening (48, 48') of the first coupling region (30a, 30a') of the intercell cooling element (16) and the opening (48, 48') of the second coupling region (30b, 30b') of the second, similar intercell cooling element (16) to produce a positive connection between the first coupling region (30a, 30a') of the intercell cooling element (16) and the second coupling region (30b, 30b') of the second, similar intercell cooling element (16). is. [6] Cooling device for a battery, comprising several inter-cell cooling elements (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the plurality of inter-cell cooling elements (16) comprise a first and a second inter-cell cooling element (16), wherein the first coupling regions (30a, 30a') of the first legs (20a, 22a) of the first inter-cell cooling element (16) are coupled to the second coupling regions (30b, 30b') of the second legs (20b, 22b) of the second inter-cell cooling element (16). [7] Battery (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of inter-cell cooling elements (16) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that - the battery (10) comprises a first cell stack (12) with a plurality of battery cells (14) arranged next to one another in a stacking direction (x), - the plurality of inter-cell cooling elements (16) comprise a first and a second inter-cell cooling element (16) which are coupled to one another to form the cuboid-shaped receiving space (36), - wherein one of the battery cells (14) of the cell stack (12) is arranged in the receiving space (36), in particular such that a first side surface (18a) of the central section (18) of the first inter-cell cooling element (16) rests on a first housing side (14d) of the battery cell (14) received in the receiving space (36) and a second side surface (18b) of the central section (18) of the second inter-cell cooling element (16) rests on a second housing side (14c) of the battery cell (14) received in the receiving space (36), said second housing side being opposite the first housing side (14d). [8] Battery (10) according to claim 7, characterized byin that the battery (10) comprises a plurality of cell stacks (12), each having a plurality of battery cells (14) arranged next to one another in a stacking direction (x), wherein the plurality of cell stacks (12) are arranged next to one another in a third direction (y) which is perpendicular to the stacking direction (x), wherein a plurality of battery cells (14) are arranged next to one another in the third direction (y) in the receiving space (36) formed between the first and second inter-cell cooling elements (16). [9] Battery (10) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized by in that a respective battery cell (14) has two pole terminals (52) which are arranged on opposite cell sides (14e, 14f) of a respective battery cell (14), in particular on those cell sides (14e, 14f) which delimit the respective battery cell (14) in and opposite to the third direction (y), which is perpendicular to the first direction (z), and in particular perpendicular to the second direction (x). [10] Motor vehicle with a battery (10) according to one of claims 7 to 9.

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