Clamping arrangement with a stack of objects to be clamped

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping arrangement (10) with a stack (3) of objects to be clamped, two end plates (12) each arranged at the ends of the stack (3), and at least one clamping band (14) which spans the stack (3) with the end plates (12) in an axial direction, wherein at least one adjustment arrangement (20) is arranged on at least one end plate (12A) of the end plates (12), which comprises a recess (12.1) provided in the corresponding end plate (12A) and at least one adjustment element (22) which is designed to deflect a portion of the course of the at least one clamping band (14) into the recess (12.1) or out of it, so that the at least one clamping band (14) can be retensioned and a defined clamping of the stack (3) can be generated, as well as a battery module (1) with at least one such clamping arrangement (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a clamping arrangement with a stack of objects to be clamped. Furthermore, the invention relates to a battery module with at least one such clamping arrangement.

[0002] Clamping arrangements for a stack of objects to be clamped, as well as a corresponding battery module for a vehicle's high-voltage battery, are known in numerous variations. The battery module comprises several battery cells arranged side by side, which are held between two end plates. The end plates and the battery cells arranged between them are clamped together by at least one tension band. This at least one tension band should apply a sufficiently high clamping force to the system to prevent movement of the battery cells during operation. Typically, the at least one tension band is tensioned using a strapping tool, which does not allow for precise adjustment of the clamping force.

[0003] From DE10 2010 036 684 A1, a battery for a motor vehicle is known, comprising a clamping device enclosing a battery body. An actuating means for adjusting a preload of the clamping device is provided at an end section of the clamping device.

[0004] From EP 0 584 639 A1, a tensioning device for a battery is disclosed, comprising at least one tensioning band and two pressure plates that can be arranged on the end faces of a battery body. The tensioning band can be retensioned via turnbuckles in the area of ​​at least one of the pressure plates.

[0005] From CN 219017815 U, a battery module with a cell stack is known, which has end plates and is enclosed in the axial direction by tension bands. An adjustment device for setting the tension force of the tension bands is arranged on one of the end plates.

[0006] From DE 10 2022 103 288 A1, a clamping device for a battery module is known for receiving and clamping a cell stack with several battery cells of the battery module arranged side by side in a stacking direction. The clamping device has a clamping band for circumferential arrangement around the cell stack along a circumferential direction. The clamping band is designed such that, in a state arranged around the cell stack, it has a height in a first direction that is perpendicular to the stacking direction and a length in the circumferential direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The clamping band is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic having fibers that run in the direction of the clamping band's length.

[0007] From JP 2003-151 612 A, a fuel cell stack with several unit cells is known. To form a stack, end plates are arranged at both ends of the stacked unit cells. At least one tension band is placed around the stack from the outside in the stacking direction and fastened.

[0008] From US patent 7,858,224 B2, a battery module is known which comprises a battery body with a plurality of unit cells arranged in series and a corresponding barrier located between adjacent unit cells. The end plates are arranged on opposite outermost sides of the battery body. A fastening unit secures the end plates and the battery body by enclosing an outer circumference of an assembly consisting of the end plates and the battery body.

[0009] From US patent 2011 / 0151312 A1, a battery module is known which comprises a battery unit with multiple batteries, a pair of end plates, one of which is attached to both ends of the battery unit, and a fastening band that surrounds the end plates and the battery unit. The fastening band is made of a material that expands when heated and contracts when cooled.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of providing a clamping arrangement with a stack of objects to be clamped and a battery module with at least one such clamping arrangement, which enables a simple subsequent adjustment of the clamping force.

[0011] This problem is solved by a clamping arrangement with the features of claim 1 and by a battery module with the features of claim 5. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0012] To provide a clamping arrangement with a stack of objects to be clamped, which allows for easy subsequent adjustment of the clamping force, the clamping arrangement comprises two end plates, each arranged at one end of the stack, and at least one clamping band that axially spans the stack with the end plates. At least one of the end plates has at least one adjustment mechanism, which includes a recess in the corresponding end plate and at least one adjustment element. This element is designed to deflect the path of the at least one clamping band into or out of the recess, allowing the clamping band to be retensioned and a defined clamping force to be generated on the stack. The clamping band has two open ends, which are connected to the adjustment element by at least one fastening element.The adjustment element is designed as an adjustment frame with two guide rails. The two open ends of the corresponding tension band are each guided around a curved contact surface of one of the two guide rails. Furthermore, the two open ends of the corresponding tension band are each clamped between a curved clamping structure of the at least one fastening element and the respective curved contact surface of the two guide rails. The curvature of the clamping structure of the at least one fastening element and the curvature of the contact surface of the two guide rails are coordinated.

[0013] Furthermore, a battery module with such a clamping arrangement is proposed.

[0014] Embodiments of the clamping arrangement according to the invention can be used for any type of object stack to be clamped, preferably for battery cell stacks in a battery module. The stack of objects to be clamped is fixed with the at least one clamping band, and a preload is established. The preload is then adjusted using the at least one adjustment arrangement to generate a defined clamping force on the stack.

[0015] The adjusting element and / or the end plates can preferably be manufactured as thermoplastic components using an injection molding process. Alternatively, the adjusting element and / or the end plates can be made of a metal or a metal alloy. The at least one tension band can preferably be made of a thermoplastic fiber-reinforced plastic. Alternatively, such a tension band can be made of a metal, preferably steel, or a perforated sheet, or a stretched thermoplastic, or of another suitable material.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the clamping arrangement, the adjusting element can be adjustable by means of at least one screw element. This enables a particularly cost-effective implementation of the clamping arrangement.

[0017] The curvature of the mounting surface and the clamping structure allows for improved, consistent clamping of the at least one tension band. To mount the adjustment element, which is designed as an adjustment frame, the open ends of the tension band can each be guided over the contact surface of one of the two guide rails of the adjustment frame. The at least one fastening element can then be inserted into a recess between the guide rails and screwed to the adjustment frame in such a way that the ends of the tension band are clamped between the adjustment frame and the at least one fastening element, creating pre-tension in the at least one tension band. To further improve the clamping, two fastening elements can be used, which can be inserted into the recess from different sides.Here, a first fastening element can be inserted into the recess as described above and screwed to the adjustment frame. A second fastening element can then be inserted from the opposite side into the recess between the guide rails and screwed to the first fastening element. This clamps the two open ends of the tension band at two points between the adjustment frame and the two fastening elements. Later, the adjustment frame can be moved towards the end plate by screwing in the fasteners that secure the frame to the end plate. This allows the tension band to be moved into the recess, stretched, and thus retensioned. The tension can be determined, for example, by a defined torque.

[0018] The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those subsequently mentioned in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention.

[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote components or elements that perform the same or analogous functions. These include: Fig. 1 a schematic and perspective representation of an embodiment of a battery module according to the invention with a clamping arrangement according to the invention with a stack of objects to be clamped; Fig. 2 a schematic detailed representation of a first embodiment of an adjustment arrangement of a clamping arrangement for a battery module, Fig. 3 a sectional view of the adjustment arrangement along the section line A - A from Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a sectional view of the adjustment arrangement along the section line B - B from Fig. 2; Fig. 5 a schematic detailed representation of a second embodiment of an adjustment arrangement of the clamping arrangement according to the invention for the battery module made of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 a schematic and perspective representation of an embodiment of an adjustment frame for the adjustment arrangement made of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 a schematic and perspective representation of an embodiment of a first fastening element for the adjustment arrangement made of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 a schematic and perspective representation of an embodiment of a second fastening element for the adjustment arrangement made of Fig. 5; Fig. 9 a sectional view of the adjustment arrangement along the section line C - C from Fig. 5, with a tension band in a pre-tensioned state; and Fig. 10 a sectional view of the adjustment arrangement along the section line C - C from Fig. 5, with the tension band in a retensioned state.

[0020] As from Fig. As can be seen from Figures 1 to 10, the illustrated embodiments of a clamping arrangement 10 according to the invention each have a stack 3 of objects to be clamped, two end plates 12 arranged at the ends of the stack 3, and at least one clamping band 14 which spans the stack 3 with the end plates 12 in the axial direction. At least one adjustment arrangement 20 is arranged on at least one end plate 12A of the end plates 12, which comprises a recess 12.1 formed in the corresponding end plate 12A and at least one adjustment element 22, which is designed to deflect the course of the at least one clamping band 14 into or out of the recess 12.1 in certain areas, so that the at least one clamping band 14 can be retensioned and a defined clamping of the stack 3 can be generated.

[0021] As from Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 1, the illustrated embodiment of a battery module 1 according to the invention comprises a clamping arrangement 10 according to the invention, wherein the stack 3 of objects to be clamped corresponds to a stack 3A of battery cells to be clamped. The battery module 1 also comprises a base plate 5, a cover 7, and two side walls 9. As can be seen from Figure 1, the illustrated embodiment of a battery module 1 according to the invention comprises a clamping arrangement 10, wherein the stack 3 of objects to be clamped corresponds to a stack 3A of battery cells to be clamped. Furthermore, the battery module 1 comprises a base plate 5, a cover 7, and two side walls 9. Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 1, the clamping arrangement 10 in the illustrated embodiment comprises two clamping bands 14, which axially clamp around the stack 3, 3A with the end plates 12. Two adjustment assemblies 20 for the two clamping bands 14 are arranged on an end plate 12A on the right in the illustration.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiments of the clamping arrangement 10, the two clamping bands 14 are each made of a fiber composite material. Alternatively, the clamping bands 14 can be made of a metal, such as steel, or of perforated sheet metal, or of a stretched thermoplastic. In the illustrated embodiments of the clamping arrangement 10, the adjusting element 22 and the end plates 12 are each manufactured as thermoplastic components using an injection molding process.

[0023] As from Fig. As can be seen further in Figures 2 to 10, the two embodiments of the clamping arrangement 10 differ in the design of the two clamping bands 14 and in the design of the corresponding adjustment arrangement 20.

[0024] At the in Fig. In the embodiment of the clamping arrangement 10A shown in Figures 2 to 4, the two clamping bands 14A, of which only one clamping band 14A is partially shown, are each designed as a closed ring formed by the material. Furthermore, the adjusting element 22 of the first embodiment of the adjustment arrangement 20A shown is designed as an adjusting plate 24, the side of which facing the clamping band 14A is designed as a curved support surface 24.1 against which the clamping band 14A rests. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the clamping band 14A is designed as a clamping element 24.1. Fig. As can be seen further in Figures 2 to 4, the adjusting plate 24 is pre-fixed in the area of ​​the recess 12.1 by two screw elements 28, each of which is guided through a mounting opening 24.2 of the adjusting plate 24 and screwed to the corresponding end plate 12A of the stack 3. Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, the adjusting plate 24 is guided at its end regions in a guide recess 12.2, which is incorporated into the end plate 12A. As can be seen in particular from Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 3, the curved contact surface 24.1 of the adjusting plate 24 rests against the tension band 14A, thus holding the tension band 12A in its position. At a later point, the adjusting plate 24 is moved towards the end plate 12A by further tightening the two screw elements 28, which moves the tension band 14A into the recess 12.1, stretches it, and thus retensions it. Therefore, the adjusting element 22, designed as the adjusting plate 24, is adjustable by means of the two screw elements 28.

[0025] At the in Fig. In the embodiment of the tensioning arrangement 10B shown in Figures 5 to 10, the two tensioning bands 14B, of which only one tensioning band 14B is partially shown, differ from the tensioning bands 14A of the one shown in Figure 5 to 10. Fig. In the second embodiment of the adjustment arrangement 20B, illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the adjustment element 22 has two open ends 16, which are connected to it by at least one fastening element 27. This means that the adjustment element 22, together with the at least one fastening element 27 of the second embodiment of the adjustment arrangement 20B, acts as a "lock" for the tension band 14B. Furthermore, the adjustment element 22 of the second embodiment of the adjustment arrangement 20B is designed as an adjustment frame 26.

[0026] As especially from Fig. 5 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 6, the adjusting frame 26 in the illustrated embodiment comprises two guide webs 26.1 running parallel to each other, which laterally define a recess 26.3 of the adjusting frame 26. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 9 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 10, the two guide webs 26.1 each have a curved contact surface 26.2, which here forms a convex curve facing the recess 26.3. The two open ends 16 of the corresponding tension band 14 are each guided around one of the curved contact surfaces 26.2 of one of the two guide webs 26.1 and through the recess 26.3. As shown in Figure 10, the two guide webs 26.1 each have a curved contact surface 26.2, which forms a convex curve facing the recess 26.3. Fig. 5, Fig. 9 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 10, an upper end 16 of the illustrated tension band 14B is guided around the curved support surface 26.2 of an upper guide web 26.1 of the adjustment frame 26. A lower end 16 of the illustrated tension band 14B is guided around the curved support surface 26.2 of a lower guide web 26.1 of the adjustment frame 26.

[0027] As from Fig. 5, Fig. 7, Fig. 9 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 10, in the illustrated embodiment, a first fastening element 27A is designed as a mounting plate with a base body whose dimensions are adapted to the recess 26.3 of the adjustment frame 26 and in which a mounting opening 26.5 is provided. Two wings, each with a mounting opening 26.5, are arranged laterally on the base body of the first fastening element 27A. The first fastening element 27A is guided by the two wings in corresponding guide recesses 26.4 of the adjustment frame 26, which are formed laterally next to the recess 26.3. A mounting opening 26.5 is provided in the bottom of each of the guide recesses 26.4. As can be seen in particular from Figure 10, the first fastening element 27A is designed as a mounting plate with a base body whose dimensions are adapted to the recess 26.3 of the adjustment frame 26 and in which a mounting opening 26.5 is provided. Fig. 9 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 10, the base body of the first fastening element 27A has a curved clamping structure 27.1 on two opposite sides, which here form a concave indentation facing away from the recess 26.3.

[0028] As from Fig. As can be seen further in Figures 8 to 10, in the illustrated embodiment a second fastening element 27B is designed as a fastening block, the dimensions of which are adapted to the recess 26.3 of the adjustment frame 26. A fastening opening 26.5 is provided in the second fastening element 27B. As can be seen from Fig. As can be seen further in Figures 8 to 10, the second fastening element 27B has a curved clamping structure 27.2 on each of two opposite sides, which here form a concave indentation facing away from the recess 26.3.

[0029] As especially from Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 5, the first fastening element 27A is screwed to the adjustment frame 26 in the area of ​​the guide recess 26.4 by means of two screws 29. For this purpose, the two fastening openings in the area of ​​the guide recess 26.4 of the adjustment frame 26 are designed as threaded holes in the illustrated embodiment, with the two screws 29 being guided through the fastening openings 26.5 in the wings of the first fastening element 27A and screwed into the fastening openings 26.5 of the adjustment frame 26, which are also designed as threaded holes. In addition, the first fastening element 27A and the second first fastening element 27B are screwed together by means of a further screw 29. For this purpose, the fastening opening in the second fastening element 27B is designed as a threaded hole in the illustrated embodiment. The screw 29 is also provided by the fastening opening 26.5 guided in the first fastening element 27A and screwed to the fastening opening 26.5 of the second fastening element 27B, which is designed as a threaded hole.

[0030] As especially from Fig. 9 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 10, the two open ends 16 of the illustrated tension band 14B are each clamped between the curved clamping structure 27.1, 27.2 of the at least one fastening element 27 and the respective curved bearing surface 26.2 of the two guide webs 26.1. The upper open end 16 of the illustrated tension band 14B is clamped between the curved clamping structure 27.1 of the first fastening element 27A and the curved bearing surface 26.2 of the upper guide web 26.1, and between the curved clamping structure 27.2 of the second fastening element 27B and the curved bearing surface 26.2 of the upper guide web 26.1. The lower open end 16 of the tension band 14B shown in the illustrations is located between the curved clamping structure 27.1 of the first fastening element 27A and the curved support surface 26.2 of the lower guide web 26 shown in the illustration.1 and clamped between the curved clamping structure 27.2 of the second fastening element 27B and the curved support surface 26.2 of the lower guide rib 26.1 shown in the illustration. As shown in . Fig. 9 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 10, the curvatures of the clamping structures 27.1, 27.2 of the two fastening elements 27A, 27B and the curvatures of the contact surfaces 26.2 of the two guide webs 26.1 are coordinated to enable optimal clamping of the tension band 14B.

[0031] To mount the adjusting element 22, designed as an adjusting frame 26, the two open ends 16 of the illustrated tension band 14B are each guided over the curved contact surfaces 26.2 of a corresponding guide rib 26.1 of the adjusting frame 26. The first fastening element 27A is then inserted into the recess 26.3 of the adjusting frame 26 and screwed in place with the two screws 29 so that both ends 16 of the tension band 14B are clamped between the adjusting frame 26 and the first fastening element 27A, creating a preload in the tension band 14B. To improve the clamping, the second fastening element 27B is inserted into the recess 26.3 from the other side and screwed to the first fastening element 27A using the screw 29. This means that the two open ends 16 of the tension band 14 are each clamped at two points between the adjustment frame 26 and the two fastening elements 27A, 27B.In the illustrated embodiment, four screw elements 28 are then guided through four fastening openings 26.5 arranged in corner regions of the adjustment frame 26 and screwed into corresponding threaded holes in the end plate 12A to pre-fix the adjustment frame 26 to the end plate 12A. This state of the adjustment arrangement 20B is shown in . Fig. 9 shown.

[0032] At a later point, the adjusting frame 26 with the tension band 14B can be moved towards the end plate 12A by further tightening the screw elements 28. This moves the adjusting frame 26 with the clamped tension band 14B into the recess 12.1, so that the tension band 14B is stretched and thus retensioned. This state of the adjustment arrangement 20B is described in Fig. 10 shown.

[0033] In the illustrated second embodiment of the adjustment arrangement 20B, the clamping structures 27.1 of the first fastening element 27A have a higher coefficient of friction to prevent the tension band 14B from slipping. The clamping structures 27.2 of the second fastening element 27B have a lower coefficient of friction to allow sliding during retensioning over the stretch of the tension band 14B. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 battery module 3 stacks of objects to be clamped 3A stack of battery cells to be clamped 5 Base plate 7 lids 9 side wall 10, 10A, 10B Clamping arrangement 12, 12A End plate 12.1 Further Study 12.2 Leadership Development 14, 14A, 14B Tension band 16 Tension band end 20, 20A, 20B Adjustment arrangement 22 Adjustment element 24 setting plate 24.1 curved support surface 24.2 Mounting opening 26 setting frames 26.1 Guide bridge 26.2 curved support surface 26.3 Recess 26.4 Leadership Development 26.5 Mounting opening 27, 27A, 27B Fastening element 27.1, 27.2 curved clamping structure 28 screw element 29 screw

Claims

[1] Clamping arrangement (10) with a stack (3) of objects to be clamped, two end plates (12) each arranged at the ends of the stack (3), and at least one clamping band (14) which spans the stack (3) with the end plates (12) in the axial direction, wherein at least one adjusting arrangement (20) is arranged on at least one end plate (12A) of the end plates (12), which adjusting arrangement comprises a recess (12.1) made in the corresponding end plate (12A) and at least one adjusting element (22) which is designed to partially adjust a course of the at least one clamping band (14) into the recess (12.1) or to deflect it out of this direction, so that the at least one tensioning band (14) can be re-tensioned and a defined tensioning of the stack (3) can be produced, wherein the tensioning band (14B) has two open ends (16) which are connected to the adjusting element (22) by at least one fastening element (27), wherein the adjusting element (22) is designed as an adjusting frame (26) with two guide webs (26.1), wherein the two open ends (16) of the corresponding tensioning band (14B) are each guided around a curved support surface (26.2) of one of the two guide webs (26.1), wherein the two open ends (16) of the corresponding tensioning band (14B) are each arranged between a curved clamping structure (27.1, 27.2) of the at least one fastening element (27) and the respective curved support surface (26.2) of the two Guide webs (26.1) are clamped, whereby the curvature of the clamping structure (27.1, 27.2) of the at least one fastening element (27) and the curvature of the contact surface (26.2) of the two guide webs (26.1) are coordinated with one another. [2] Bracing arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the adjusting element (22) is adjustable by means of at least one screw element (28). [3] Bracing arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the at least one tensioning strap (14) is made of a fiber composite material or a metal or a perforated sheet or an expanded thermoplastic. [4] Bracing arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the adjusting element (22) and / or the end plates (12) are made of a plastic or a metal. [5] Battery module (1) with a clamping arrangement (10) which is designed according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stack (3) of objects to be clamped is a stack (3A) of battery cells to be clamped.

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