Battery arrangement for reversible connection of a cooling plate and method for manufacturing a battery arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery arrangement (10) for reversibly connecting a battery cell arrangement (12) to a cooling plate (18), wherein the battery arrangement (10) comprises the battery cell arrangement (12) which includes a first arrangement surface (12a) and has several battery cells (14) which each have a first cell side (14a) which are each part of the first arrangement surface (12a), wherein the battery arrangement (10) has the cooling plate (18) which includes a second arrangement surface (18a), and wherein the first arrangement surface (12a) is arranged on the second arrangement surface (18a).The battery arrangement (10) has a metallic hook and loop fastener (22) by means of which at least a first area of ​​the first arrangement surface (12a) is arranged on a second area of ​​the second arrangement surface (18a), wherein the hook and loop fastener (22) has a metallic first hook and loop element (24) and a metallic second hook and loop element (26) which corresponds to the first hook and loop element (24) in such a way that the first and the second hook and loop element (24, 26) can be brought into engagement with each other by forming a hook and loop connection.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a battery assembly for reversibly connecting a battery cell assembly comprised by the battery assembly to a cooling plate. The battery cell assembly comprises a first assembly surface and has a plurality of battery cells, each having a first cell side that is each part of the first assembly surface. The battery assembly has the cooling plate, which comprises a second assembly surface, and the first assembly surface is arranged on the second assembly surface. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for producing a battery assembly.

[0002] Today's high-voltage battery concepts in automotive engineering include one or more battery modules with one or more cooling structures, such as a cooling plate. The battery modules are designed in a variety of sizes, depending on the number planned for a high-voltage battery. The cooling structures are designed to suit the battery modules and their heat dissipation requirements. The cooling structures are often arranged directly adjacent to the battery modules and, in most cases, are thermally and materially bonded using a thermally conductive medium with appropriate adhesive forces, for example, a thermally conductive adhesive. The battery modules contain multiple battery cells, which represent the largest contributor to the total material costs within the high-voltage battery.In the interests of repairability and recyclability, it is sensible to be able to separate the components again in the event of damage or at the end of their life cycle using an economically efficient and safe method.

[0003] However, such economically efficient and safe repair and recycling capabilities are not available in current battery architectures. As things stand, battery modules cannot be repaired and must be separated for recycling, which involves considerable effort and largely involves mechanical forces. This poses, among other things, the risk of damaging the battery modules, which represents both a financial and safety risk.

[0004] EP 2 494 630 B1 describes an electrochemical cell with an electrode stack, a casing enclosing the electrode stack, and a current collector extending from the casing. A hook-and-loop part of a hook-and-loop connection device is attached to the electrochemical cell, and the hook-and-loop part of the hook-and-loop connection device is formed by a number of metallic hook-and-loop elements, in particular metallic hooks or metallic loops. Gaps are formed between the hook-and-loop elements of the hook-and-loop part of the hook-and-loop connection, and a temperature control element, in particular a cooling coil or cooling mat, is arranged in the gaps. The cooling coil can be designed as a flexible tubular element through which a cooling fluid can flow.

[0005] This design requires a lot of installation space and effort to provide such a cooling structure in the respective space between two battery cells.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a battery arrangement and a method which enable a thermal connection of several battery cells to a cooling plate which is as space-efficient, simple and economical as possible.

[0007] This object is achieved by a battery arrangement and a method 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.

[0008] A battery arrangement according to the invention for reversibly connecting a battery cell arrangement to a cooling plate comprises the battery cell arrangement, which comprises a first arrangement surface that delimits the battery cell arrangement with respect to a specific direction, wherein the battery cell arrangement has a plurality of battery cells, each having a first cell side, each of which is part of the first arrangement surface. Furthermore, the battery arrangement comprises the cooling plate, which comprises a second arrangement surface, wherein the first arrangement surface is arranged on the second arrangement surface.The battery arrangement has a metallic hook and loop device, via which at least a first region of the first arrangement surface is arranged on a second region of the second arrangement surface, wherein the hook and loop device has a metallic first hook and loop element and a metallic second hook and loop element which corresponds to the first hook and loop element in such a way that the first and the second hook and loop element can be brought into engagement with one another to form a hook and loop connection.

[0009] The invention is based on the finding that it is possible to connect a battery cell arrangement, such as a cell stack or a cell pack, to a cooling plate via a metallic hook-and-loop fastener, thereby creating a particularly thermally conductive connection between such a battery cell arrangement and the cooling plate. This connection also enables the reversible decoupling of the battery cell arrangement and the cooling plate. Furthermore, the invention is based on the finding that the use of a metallic hook-and-loop fastener provides very good thermal conductivity between the battery cell arrangement and the cooling plate, so that any gaps between the hook-and-loop fasteners do not have a significantly negative impact on this thermal connection.This enables a particularly efficient connection of the battery cell arrangement to the cooling plate and also allows a reversible detachability of the battery cell arrangement from the cooling plate, so that the battery cells can be removed from the cooling plate again without damage if necessary, for example in the event of repair or for the purpose of replacement.

[0010] The first arrangement surface delimits the battery cell arrangement with respect to a specific direction, i.e., in the specific direction or opposite to the specific direction, which is also referred to below as the first direction. The cooling plate is located opposite the battery cell arrangement and thus all of the battery cells encompassed by the battery cell arrangement with respect to the first direction. Consequently, the cooling plate should not be arranged in a space between two battery cells of the battery cell arrangement. All battery cells of a battery cell arrangement can thus be thermally connected to a common cooling plate simultaneously. This allows for a significantly more efficient and space-saving design.

[0011] The first arrangement surface and the second arrangement surface are preferably essentially flat surfaces. A substantially flat surface can also have minor tolerance-related unevenness. The same applies to the first cell sides of the battery cells, which can also be essentially flat, for example except for tolerance-related unevenness, and which are also arranged essentially in one plane, whereby here too the first cell sides can have slightly different distances from the cooling plate due to tolerances. Nevertheless, the first cell sides all lie on the same side of the hook-and-loop device opposite the cooling plate. The hook-and-loop device can also be flexible in order to compensate for such minor tolerance-related unevenness.

[0012] In general, the entire first arrangement surface does not have to be arranged flatly via the metallic hook and loop device on the second arrangement surface, although this is still possible, but such a connection via the metallic hook and loop device can also be made only in certain areas, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0013] The battery cells can be designed, for example, as prismatic battery cells, pouch cells, or round cells, with a design as prismatic battery cells or round cells being preferred. Furthermore, the battery cell arrangement can be designed, for example, as a cell stack with several battery cells arranged next to one another in a stacking direction. The stacking direction can correspond to a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. In such a cell stack, the prismatic battery cells can be arranged with their largest surface areas facing each other.

[0014] The cooling plate, which can be designed as a metallic cooling plate, is preferably designed to allow a cooling medium, in particular a liquid cooling medium, to flow through it. For this purpose, the cooling plate can be designed with one or more cooling channels, in particular cooling channels integrated into the cooling plate. Furthermore, the cooling plate can optionally also be part of an overall battery housing and / or module housing in which the battery cell arrangement is accommodated. The cooling plate can thus, for example, also simultaneously represent a cooling base of such a housing. The cooling plate can also be designed as a cover of such a module housing and / or overall battery housing. In this case, the cooling plate can accordingly represent a cooling cover. The cell poles of the battery cells are preferably arranged on one or two cell sides of such a battery cell, which are different from the corresponding first cell side.This means the cell poles are not facing the cooling plate. This simplifies the connection of the battery cells to the cooling plate using the Velcro fastener.

[0015] The hook-and-loop fastener can be made of any metallic material, such as aluminum, steel, or stainless steel. The hook-and-loop fastener can also be made entirely of such a metallic material.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hook and loop device is designed such that the first and second hook and loop elements, which form the hook and loop connection with one another, can be detached from one another by exerting a tensile force on the first and / or second hook and loop element. The two hook and loop elements can therefore be detached from one another again by pulling them away from one another. This is particularly advantageous because the battery cell arrangement can then be detached from the cooling plate again if necessary without running the risk of damaging the battery cells. A tensile force on the first hook and loop element thus points at least partially in a direction away from the second hook and loop element, and a tensile force on the second hook and loop element points at least partially in a direction away from the first hook and loop element.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first Velcro element comprises first Velcro structures and the second Velcro element comprises second Velcro structures which are designed to hook with the first Velcro structures to form the Velcro connection, in particular wherein the first Velcro structures are designed at least partly as hooks and the second Velcro structures are designed at least partly as loops, and / or the first Velcro structures are designed at least partly as loops and the second Velcro structures are designed at least partly as hooks, and / or the first and second Velcro structures are each designed at least partly as mushroom-head-shaped structures.

[0018] In principle, it is also conceivable for the first and second hook and loop structures to be designed as a mixture or combination of the structural shapes mentioned. However, this is less preferred. It is therefore preferred that the first structures, for example, are all designed as hooks and the second hook and loop structures are all designed as loops, or that the first hook and loop structures are all designed as loops and the second hook and loop structures are all designed as hooks, or that the first and second hook and loop structures are all designed as mushroom-shaped structures. In all of these cases, a stable hook and loop connection can advantageously be created between the respective hook and loop elements. The hook and loop connection can be created by pressing the two hook and loop elements together.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first hook and loop element, which is designed in particular as a first hook and loop fastener strip, is arranged, in particular glued, at least in the first region on the first arrangement surface. The first hook and loop element is therefore preferably arranged, in particular glued, directly on at least one of the first cell sides of the battery cells. The direct arrangement option on the first cell sides can provide particularly good heat conduction. Gluing represents a particularly gentle joining option for fixing the first hook and loop element to the first arrangement surface, in particular to one or more of the first cell sides or even to all of the first cell sides. The design as a hook and loop fastener strip is particularly advantageous because it represents a particularly simple attachment option.The first Velcro element can thus be fixed in a particularly simple manner over a large area and extending over at least the entire first area of ​​the arrangement surface in a contacting manner.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the entire first arrangement surface is arranged flatly on the second arrangement surface via the metallic hook and loop device, wherein the first region represents the entire first arrangement surface. This advantageously enables a large-area connection of the battery cell arrangement to the cooling plate. The thermal conductivity can thus be optimized. For this purpose, the metallic hook and loop device can, for example, also be designed as the first hook and loop element with several hook and loop strips or, alternatively, can be provided by a single, continuous hook and loop strip. In general, the first region can represent a large part or almost the entire first connection surface. The first arrangement surface can be formed entirely or at least largely by the first cell sides.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a third region of the first arrangement surface is not connected to the second arrangement surface via the hook-and-loop device and / or is arranged on a fourth region of the second arrangement surface via a thermal interface material. According to this example, the first region does not represent the entire first arrangement surface, but rather comprises at least a third region that is not connected to the second arrangement surface via the hook-and-loop device, in particular not via a further hook-and-loop device. This third region, which is also opposite the cooling plate and correspondingly opposite the second arrangement surface, in particular directly opposite a fourth region of the second arrangement surface, for example with respect to the first direction defined above, does not necessarily have to be fixed to the second arrangement surface.This third region can, for example, only be adjacent to the fourth region of the second arrangement surface and / or be arranged thereon via a thermal interface material. The thermal interface material can be a non-curing and / or non-adherent thermal interface material. The thermal interface material is therefore viscous.

[0022] It is also conceivable for the thermal interface material to be a cured thermal interface material. The third region can also be fixed to the fourth region of the second arrangement surface via the thermal interface material. Such a thermal interface material can be, for example, a so-called gap filler and / or a thermally conductive adhesive. In both cases, such a thermal interface material is introduced or arranged in the corresponding areas to be filled in a viscous state and then cures after the corresponding components have been arranged as intended, namely the battery cell arrangement on the cooling plate.By additionally using the hook and loop fastener device to connect the battery cell assembly to the cooling plate, even when additional thermal interface material is used, the surface area of ​​the battery cell assembly adhering to the cooling plate via such thermal interface material is reduced, which simplifies disassembly.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second hook-and-loop element is arranged at least in the second region on the second arrangement surface or is formed as part of the second arrangement surface. The second hook-and-loop element can thus, for example, be arranged on the cooling plate as described for the first hook-and-loop element, i.e., be provided as a separate component and then fixed to the cooling plate, or the second hook-and-loop element can also be formed as a component of the cooling plate, for example, by forming the second arrangement surface of the cooling plate with corresponding second hook-and-loop structures, for example, already during the production of the cooling plate.

[0024] A further very advantageous embodiment of the invention is provided if the second hook and loop element, which is designed in particular as a second hook and loop strip, is glued to the second arrangement surface at least in the second region. The second hook and loop element can therefore be glued flat to the second arrangement surface in a simple manner, in particular over its entire surface. The cooling plate can thus be designed as usual and the second hook and loop element can be subsequently arranged on the second arrangement surface by gluing and fixed thereto, in particular by means of an adhesive. This enables a particularly simple arrangement of the second hook and loop element on the second arrangement surface. Here, too, the design of the second hook and loop element as a second hook and loop strip is very advantageous since this provides a particularly simple arrangement option.Several such hook-and-loop fastener strips can also be used to provide the second hook-and-loop fastener element. These can also be arranged at a distance from one another or spatially distributed, or they can be arranged next to or adjacent to one another in contact.

[0025] The first and second hook-and-loop elements are generally arranged on the first and second arrangement surfaces, respectively, or are arranged on the first and second arrangement surfaces such that their respective hook-and-loop structures face each other. Each of the hook-and-loop elements can thus, for example, have a structural side and a joining side, wherein the joining side is preferably designed to be as flat as possible and is arranged accordingly on the first and second arrangement surfaces, respectively, while the structural side comprises the protruding hook-and-loop structures.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second hook-and-loop element, which is designed in particular as a second hook-and-loop strip, is welded to the second arrangement surface at least in the second region. This enables particularly stable fixation of the second hook-and-loop element to the second arrangement surface. The second hook-and-loop element, in particular the second hook-and-loop strip, can be welded to the second arrangement surface in regions, at specific points, or over a large area. By welding, the thermal contact resistance between the second hook-and-loop element and the second arrangement surface can be reduced, particularly compared to an adhesive connection.

[0027] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second hook and loop element comprises a plurality of second hook and loop structures, in particular mushroom-shaped structural elements, which are joined, in particular welded, at least in the second region of a second arrangement surface. In this example, the second hook and loop element can therefore be formed as part of the cooling plate itself. Hook and loop structures, such as mushroom-shaped structural elements, can therefore simply be welded directly to the second arrangement surface. Welding to the second arrangement surface can, for example, take place before or during manufacture of the cooling plate. This also creates a particularly good thermally conductive connection between the second hook and loop structures and the cooling plate. The second arrangement surface can, for example, be provided by a sheet metal which delimits an interior of at least one cooling channel integrated into the cooling plate with respect to the first direction.The sheet metal to which the second Velcro structures are welded is therefore directly adjacent to the interior of such a cooling channel.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a viscous thermally conductive compound is arranged between the first and second hook-and-loop elements, which fills one or more gaps between the first hook-and-loop structures of the first hook-and-loop element and the second hook-and-loop structures of the second hook-and-loop element when the hook-and-loop connection is established. As is typical with hook-and-loop connections, certain gaps always result between the first and second hook-and-loop structures when the hook-and-loop connection is established. These gaps can remain unfilled or filled with air, or they can be filled with a thermally conductive compound to increase thermal conductivity. The use of a viscous thermally conductive compound between the two hook-and-loop elements thus makes it possible to further increase the thermal conductivity of the thermal path from the battery cell arrangement to the cooling plate.The viscous thermally conductive compound is arranged between the first and second hook and loop elements in such a way that the first and second hook and loop structures of the hook and loop elements are still in direct contact with each other. The thermally conductive compound is therefore only intended to completely or partially fill any remaining gaps. Such a thermally conductive compound can, for example, be a type of thermal paste. The thermally conductive compound is intended to remain viscous even in the finished state of the battery assembly. Preferably, the thermally conductive compound is made as viscous as possible so that it remains in the corresponding gaps and does not leak out. The thermally conductive compound, which is viscous under normal operating conditions of the battery assembly, in turn enables easy disassembly of the battery assembly. The thermally conductive compound therefore does not lead to sticking of the battery cell assembly to the cooling plate.

[0029] Furthermore, the battery arrangement can be designed as a battery for a motor vehicle, in particular a high-voltage battery. The battery cells can be designed, for example, as lithium-ion cells. The battery arrangement can comprise not only one battery cell arrangement, but optionally also a plurality of battery cell arrangements, for example a plurality of cell stacks or a plurality of battery modules, each of which in turn comprises a plurality of battery cells. These can be arranged on a common cooling plate, or each battery cell arrangement can be arranged on a cooling plate assigned to it. The arrangement on the one or more cooling plates is in turn effected via one or more of the described hook-and-loop devices.

[0030] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a battery arrangement according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0031] 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.

[0032] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for producing a battery arrangement for reversibly connecting a battery cell arrangement to a cooling plate. The battery cell arrangement is provided which comprises a first arrangement surface that delimits the battery cell arrangement with respect to a specific direction and which has a plurality of battery cells, each having a first cell side that is each part of the first arrangement surface. Furthermore, the cooling plate is provided which comprises a second arrangement surface. Furthermore, the first arrangement surface is arranged on the second arrangement surface.In this case, at least a first region of the first arrangement surface is arranged on a second region of the second arrangement surface via a metallic hook and loop device which has a metallic first hook and loop element and a metallic second hook and loop element which corresponds to the first hook and loop element in such a way that the first and second hook and loop elements are brought into engagement with one another during arrangement, forming a hook and loop connection.

[0033] The advantages described for the battery arrangement according to the invention and its embodiments apply equally to the method according to the invention.

[0034] The invention also includes further developments of the method according to the invention that have features already described in connection with the further developments of the battery arrangement according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the method according to the invention are not described again here.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Shown are: Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the battery arrangement from Fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a hook and loop device for a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a Velcro device for a battery arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0037] 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.

[0038] In the figures, the same reference symbols designate elements with the same function.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a schematic exploded view of a battery arrangement 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The battery arrangement 10 comprises a battery cell arrangement 12, which can also be referred to, for example, as a battery module. The battery cell arrangement 12 comprises a plurality of battery cells 14. In this example, these are shown only in dashed lines and are designed, for example, as prismatic battery cells. The battery cell arrangement 12 can, for example, comprise a cell stack 16, which in turn comprises a plurality of such prismatically designed battery cells 14 arranged next to one another in a stacking direction, wherein the stacking direction in this case corresponds to the x-direction shown. In addition, the battery arrangement 10 has a cooling plate 18 having a plurality of integrated cooling channels 20.The cooling plate 18 can be constructed in multiple layers, for example, comprising several sheets joined together, between which the cooling channels 20 are formed. Preferably, the cooling plate 18 is made of a metallic material, although this is not necessarily the case.

[0040] The battery cell arrangement 12 has a first arrangement surface 12a. Each battery cell 14 also comprises a first cell side 14a, which is part of the arrangement surface 12a. The arrangement surface 12a can also be formed from the first cell sides 14a of the battery cells 14 comprised by the battery cell arrangement 12.

[0041] The cooling plate 18 also includes a second arrangement surface 18a. This second arrangement surface 18a faces the first arrangement surface 12a and is opposite it in the illustrated z-direction, which corresponds to the aforementioned first direction.

[0042] In addition, the battery cell arrangement 12 now advantageously has a hook-and-loop device 22, via which the first arrangement surface 12a is arranged at least partially or over its entire surface on the second arrangement surface 18a. The hook-and-loop device 22 comprises a first hook-and-loop element 24, which in the present example is arranged on the first arrangement surface 12a, and a second hook-and-loop element 26, which in this example is arranged on the second arrangement surface 18a. Each hook-and-loop element 24, 26 comprises hook-and-loop structures 24a, 26a, which in this example are mushroom-shaped, but can also alternatively be designed as hooks and / or loops.By means of these Velcro structures 24a, 26a, the respective Velcro elements 24, 26 are designed to correspond to one another in such a way that the two Velcro elements 24, 26 can be brought into engagement with one another to form a Velcro connection and are brought into engagement in the manufactured state of the Velcro connection, as for example in . Fig. 2 and explained in more detail later.

[0043] There are several different options for establishing the joining connection between the first hook-and-loop element 24 and the first arrangement surface 12a, as well as between the second hook-and-loop element 26 and the second arrangement surface 18a. In any case, it is advantageous if the two sides of the metallic hook-and-loop device 22, which can be designed, for example, as a metallic hook-and-loop strip or strips, are firmly connected to the respective joining partner, i.e., in this case, the battery module or battery cell arrangement 12 on the one hand, and the cooling structure, i.e., the cooling plate 18 on the other. At the same time, the best possible thermal conductivity should be ensured.

[0044] On the one hand, it is possible to arrange the second hook-and-loop structures 26a directly, for example, by mushroom-head welding, on the cooling structure, i.e., the cooling plate 18, in particular on the second arrangement side 18a. The second hook-and-loop element 26 can also be provided, for example, in the form of a hook-and-loop strip as a separate component and can be connected and fixed to the finished cooling plate 18 by means of a joining process. A point-by-point connection of the hook-and-loop strip 26 is conceivable using thermal or mechanical methods, such as resistance spot welding, MIG (metal inert gas welding) and / or MAG (metal active gas welding) tack welding, laser stitch welding or laser stitch soldering, clinching, punch riveting, and so on.In this example, such local connections 28, in particular point and / or linear connections 28, between the second hook-and-loop element 26 and the second arrangement surface 18a are shown as examples, via which the second hook-and-loop element 26 is arranged and fixed to the second arrangement surface 18a. These can be the described thermal and / or mechanical point or local connections 28.

[0045] Additionally or alternatively, it can also be provided that, for fixing the second hook and loop element 26 to the second arrangement surface 18a, a preferably thermally conductive adhesive connection 30 is used between the second hook and loop element 26, for example the hook and loop strip 26, and the cooling structure 18, i.e. the cooling plate 18, which can establish a connection between the second hook and loop element 26 and the cooling plate 18 both thermally and materially. Fig. The dashed line shown in Figure 1 illustrates both such an adhesive connection 30 and the thermally conductive adhesive 30 by means of which such an adhesive connection can be produced or is produced.

[0046] On the side of the battery module 12, it is preferred to implement the connection of the first arrangement surface 12a to the first hook-and-loop element 24, which is also referred to simply as the hook-and-loop fastener strip 24 below, via a thermally conductive adhesive connection 32. Here, too, the dashed line 32 illustrates this adhesive connection 32 as well as the adhesive 32 used to produce this thermally conductive adhesive connection 32. The connection of the battery cells 14, in particular their first cell sides 14a, to the hook-and-loop fastener strip 24 via such an adhesive 32 represents a joining option that places particularly little mechanical and thermal stress on the battery cells 14.

[0047] Furthermore, it is advantageous if high stability and thermal conduction are achieved between the battery module 12 and the cooling structure 18. This can be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, the first arrangement surface 12a can be connected to the second arrangement surface 18a via a full-surface hook-and-loop connection using the hook-and-loop device 22. It is preferred that the forces required for joining, i.e., the compressive forces during the manufacture of the battery arrangement 12 for joining the battery cell arrangement 12 to the cooling plate 18 via the hook-and-loop device 22, and the tensile forces for releasing the connection do not lead to damage to the battery module 12 or the battery cell 14. Depending on the requirements, the thermal conduction provided via the metallic contact points of the hook-and-loop strip, i.e., the hook-and-loop device 22, may be sufficient.If it is desired to increase thermal conductivity, there are again several options. For example, the full-surface hook-and-loop connection can be supplemented with an additional, non-hardening or non-adherent heat-conducting medium 34. In the present example, this is arranged between the hook-and-loop elements 24, 26 in the form of a heat-conducting compound 34, in particular a viscous heat-conducting compound 34, and thus fills the gaps 36 (see .) when the hook-and-loop elements 24, 26 are engaged with one another. Fig. 2) or gaps between the individual hook and loop structures 24a, 26a. Air pockets can thus be avoided or reduced. If the forces for joining or loosening the connection between the battery cell arrangement 12 and the cooling plate 18 exceed the load-bearing capacity of the battery module 12 or the battery cells 14, these forces can be reduced by using or employing the hook and loop connection, i.e. the hook and loop device 22, only at specific points or in certain regions at several locations to fix the battery module 12 to the cooling plate 18. In other words, the connection of the first arrangement surface 12a to the second arrangement surface 18a does not necessarily have to be provided via a full-surface hook and loop connection, but can also be realized or implemented via a hook and loop device 22 that is present only in certain regions.via a plurality of Velcro devices 22 that are separated from one another, spatially distributed, and arranged over a large area, all of which can be designed as described for the Velcro device 2. This can be realized, for example, by a full-surface sheet with local Velcro elements 24a or 26a as the first and / or second Velcro element 24, 26, or by individual Velcro strip sections at different locations on the respective joining partner. This means that the first Velcro element 24a can comprise a plurality of individual Velcro strip sections that are distributed or spaced apart from one another on the first arrangement surface 12a, and / or the second Velcro element 26 can comprise a plurality of such Velcro strip sections that are spatially distributed and / or spaced apart from one another on the second arrangement surface 18a.

[0048] In order to achieve a desired thermal conductivity or if the thermal conductivity is to be further increased in this case, a non-curing or non-adherent thermal conductivity medium 34 can also be applied in this case, in particular between the Velcro elements 24, 26.

[0049] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the battery arrangement 12 from Fig. 1, wherein the two hook-and-loop elements 24, 26 are now engaged with each other, and the joints between these hook-and-loop elements 24, 26 and the respective arrangement surfaces 12a, 18a are no longer explicitly shown. The previously described viscous heat-conducting medium 34 can optionally be arranged in the gaps 36 that result between the individual hook-and-loop structures 24a, 26a when the hook-and-loop connection is established.

[0050] The release of the hook-and-loop connection, i.e., the hook-and-loop elements 24, 26 from one another, and thus the release of the hook-and-loop connection between the battery module 12 and the cooling structure 18, can be achieved, for example, by lifting, levering, peeling, unrolling, or by other mechanical methods. The destruction of the cooling structure 18 can be accepted for economic and safety reasons. However, the release of the hook-and-loop connection is non-destructive with respect to the battery module 12. In the event that the hook-and-loop strip arranged on the battery module 12, i.e., the first hook-and-loop element 24, is to be removed from the latter, this can be achieved due to the preferably small sheet thickness of the first hook-and-loop element 24 and thus the low inherent rigidity of the first hook-and-loop element 24, e.g.of the first Velcro strip 24, by peeling, unrolling or other suitable mechanical methods, without exceeding the mechanical load capacity of the battery module 12 or the battery cells 14.

[0051] There are several possibilities for the concrete design of the Velcro elements 24, 26 or their Velcro structures 24a, 26a, two examples of which will be described below.

[0052] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a hook and loop device 22a for a battery arrangement 12 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The hook and loop device 22a can be designed as described above and, in this example, again has two hook and loop elements 24, 26, which in this example each have mushroom-shaped structures 38 as hook and loop structures 24a, 26a. These can also be referred to as mushroom-shaped elements 38 or mushroom-shaped structures 38. In this example, the heads of these mushroom-shaped elements 38 are designed as spheres; however, these can be designed as any other geometric widening, for example, pyramid-shaped, conical, hook-shaped, or similar. As far as the second hook and loop element 26 is concerned, its base area or base element 40, on which oron which these mushroom head elements 38 are arranged, may be provided as a separate sheet from the second arrangement surface 18a or may be part of the cooling plate 18 and thus optionally represent the second arrangement surface 18a. According to the in . Fig. 1, the respective base elements 40 of the first and second Velcro elements 24, 26 are each provided as separate plates or sheets, wherein the base element 40 of the second Velcro element can alternatively also be formed as part of the cooling plate 18.

[0053] There are several possibilities for the design of the hook and loop fastener tape, in particular the individual hook and loop elements 24, 26, for example, the welding of mushroom head elements 38 directly onto the metallic cooling structure 18, the welding of mushroom head elements 38 onto a thin metal sheet 26, which is not part of the cooling structure 18, and is arranged or fixed to the cooling structure 18. Another possibility is the punching or stamping of hook and loop elements into a thin metal sheet, as shown in Fig. 4 and is described below.

[0054] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a hook and loop device 22b for a battery assembly 12 according to a further embodiment of the invention. This hook and loop device 22b can also be used like the Fig. 1 and Fig.2, except for the differences described below. These essentially consist in the design of the hook and loop structures 24a, 26a. In this example, the hook and loop device 22b comprises a hook and loop element 24 or 26, which is designed with hook-shaped hook and loop structures 42, and a further hook and loop element 26 or 24, which is designed with corresponding loop-shaped hook and loop elements 44. The hooks 42 can be hooked into the loops 44 to form the hook and loop connection. The hook and loop element on which the hook-shaped hook and loop structures 42 are arranged can represent the first or the second hook and loop element 24 or 26. Accordingly, the hook and loop element that provides the loop-shaped hook and loop structures 44 can be the second hook and loop element 26 or the first hook and loop element 24.Accordingly, the hook-shaped Velcro structures 42 can be the first Velcro structures 24a or the second Velcro structures 26a, and the loop-shaped Velcro structures 44 can be the second Velcro structures 26a or the first Velcro structures 24a.

[0055] In this case, too, the respective hook-and-loop elements 24, 26 comprise a base element 40, for example, a metal sheet, on which the corresponding hook-and-loop structures 24a, 26a are arranged. In this example, the hook-and-loop structures 24a, 26a are formed in the form of hooks 42 or loops 44 by punching or stamping these hook and eye elements 42, 44 into a thin metal sheet as the base element 40. In this example, it is also preferred that the second hook-and-loop element 26 be formed separately from the cooling plate 18, since such punching of the corresponding hook-and-loop structures 26a leads to openings in the base element 40.

[0056] The detailed design of mushroom head or hook and / or eyelet elements as hook and loop elements 24a or 26a depends on the required or desired holding forces in the life cycle of the battery or, in general, of the battery arrangement 10 and on the load capacity of the battery modules 12 or the cells 14.

[0057] Overall, the examples demonstrate how the invention can provide a method for the reversible cooling connection of battery modules using metallic hook-and-loop fasteners. The invention relates to the manner of connecting a cooling structure to the adjacent battery modules. Using preferably metallic hook-and-loop fasteners, it is possible to connect the components to one another in a form-fitting and thermally secure manner while retaining the option of dismantling this connection again in an economically efficient and safe manner. Dismantling the components is at least more gentle on the battery cells and thus safer than current methods and offers the possibility of reusing them. Separating the components is economically efficient and safe and also offers the possibility of at least avoiding damage to the battery cells, the most expensive and most dangerous component.The cooling effect is maintained by the thermal conductivity of the metallic Velcro strip and, if necessary, additional thermal conductivity medium. 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] EP 2 494 630 B1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Battery arrangement (10) for the reversible connection of a battery cell arrangement (12) to a cooling plate (18), - wherein the battery arrangement (10) comprises the battery cell arrangement (12) comprising a first arrangement surface (12a) that delimits the battery cell arrangement (12) with respect to a specific direction, wherein the battery cell arrangement (12) has a plurality of battery cells (14), each having a first cell side (14a), each being part of the first arrangement surface (12a), - wherein the battery assembly (10) comprises the cooling plate (18) comprising a second arrangement surface (18a), - wherein the first arrangement surface (12a) is arranged on the second arrangement surface (18a), characterized by , that - the battery arrangement (10) has a metallic Velcro device (22) via which at least a first region of the first arrangement surface (12a) is arranged on a second region of the second arrangement surface (18a), - wherein the hook and loop device (22) has a metallic first hook and loop element (24) and a metallic second hook and loop element (26) which corresponds to the first hook and loop element (24) in such a way that the first and second hook and loop elements (24, 26) can be brought into engagement with one another to form a hook and loop connection. [2] Battery arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the Velcro device (22) is designed such that the first and the second Velcro element (26), which form the Velcro connection with one another, can be detached from one another by exerting a tensile force on the first and / or second Velcro element (26). [3] Battery arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first Velcro element (24) comprises first Velcro structures (24a) and the second Velcro element (26) comprises second Velcro structures (26a) which are designed to hook with the first Velcro structures (24a) to form the Velcro connection, in particular wherein - the first hook and loop structures (24a) at least partly as hooks (42) and the second hook and loop structures (26a) partly as loops (44), and / or - the first hook and loop structures (24a) at least partly as loops (44) and the second hook and loop structures (26a) partly as hooks (42), and / or - the first and second hook and loop structures (24a, 26a) are each at least partially formed as mushroom-shaped structures (38). [4] Battery arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first Velcro element (24), which is designed in particular as a first Velcro strip, is arranged, in particular glued, at least in the first region on the first arrangement surface (12a). [5] Battery arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the entire first arrangement surface (12a) is arranged flatly on the second arrangement surface (18a) via the metallic hook-and-loop device (22), wherein the first region represents the entire first arrangement surface (12a); or - a third region of the first arrangement surface (12a) is not connected to the second arrangement surface (18a) via the hook and loop device (22) and / or is arranged on a fourth region of the second arrangement surface (18a) via a thermal interface material. [6] Battery arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the second Velcro element (26), which is designed in particular as a second Velcro strip, is glued to the second arrangement surface (18a) at least in the second region. [7] Battery arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the second Velcro element (26), which is designed in particular as a second Velcro strip, is welded to the second arrangement surface (18a) at least in the second region. [8] Battery arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the second Velcro element (26) comprises a plurality of second Velcro structures (26a), in particular mushroom-shaped second Velcro structures (26a, 38), which are joined, in particular welded, to the second arrangement surface (18a) at least in the second region. [9] Battery arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a viscous heat-conducting mass (34) is arranged between the first and second Velcro elements (24, 26), which fills one or more spaces (36) between first Velcro structures (24a) of the first Velcro element (24) and second Velcro structures (26b) of the second Velcro element (26) when the Velcro connection is established. [10] Method for producing a battery arrangement (10) for reversibly connecting a battery cell arrangement (12) to a cooling plate (18), comprising the steps: - Providing the battery cell arrangement (12) comprising a first arrangement surface (12a) that delimits the battery cell arrangement (12) in a specific direction, and having a plurality of battery cells (14) each having a first cell side (14a) that is each part of the first arrangement surface (12a), - providing the cooling plate (18) comprising a second arrangement surface (18a), - arranging the first arrangement surface (12a) on the second arrangement surface (18a), characterized by that at least a first region of the first arrangement surface (12a) is arranged on a second region of the second arrangement surface (18a) via a metallic hook and loop device (22) which has a metallic first hook and loop element (24) and a metallic second hook and loop element (26) which corresponds to the first hook and loop element (24) in such a way that the first and the second hook and loop element (26) are brought into engagement with one another during arrangement to form a hook and loop connection.

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