Battery module assembly, battery module with such assembly, and method for manufacturing an assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly of a battery module (1) with a housing (2) in which a connecting assembly (3) is received, which comprises a contact element (4), in particular a screw-on element (40), designed for electrical contact with an outer part (8) of the battery module (1), and further a busbar (5), designed for electrical contact with at least one battery cell (10) received in an interior (9) of the battery module (1), which are furthermore mechanically and electrically connected to each other, characterized in that the busbar (5) is connected to the housing (2) in such a way, in particular in a form-fitting manner, that rotation about a longitudinal axis (55) of the busbar (5) is prevented.

Description

State of the art:

[0001] The invention is based on an assembly of a battery module according to the preamble of the independent claim. The present invention also relates to a battery module with such an assembly and a method for producing such an assembly.

[0002] It is known from the prior art that a battery module has a plurality of individual battery cells, each of which has a positive voltage tap and a negative voltage tap, wherein the respective voltage taps are electrically connected to one another to form an electrically conductive serial and / or parallel connection of the plurality of battery cells and can thus be interconnected to form the battery module. In particular, the battery cells can each have a first voltage tap, in particular a positive voltage tap, and a second voltage tap, in particular a negative voltage tap, which are electrically connected to one another by means of cell connectors, thus forming an electrically serial and / or parallel connection. Battery modules, in turn, are also interconnected to form batteries or entire battery systems.

[0003] Typically, the majority of battery cells of the battery module are housed in a housing of the battery module. The electrical connections are routed from the interior of the battery module through the housing to enable electrical contact between the plurality of battery cells. This is typically achieved using assemblies that include contact elements. Disclosure of the invention:

[0004] An assembly of a battery module having the features of the independent claim offers the advantage that a reliable production of a battery module can be achieved.

[0005] For this purpose, the invention provides an assembly of a battery module. Such an assembly comprises a housing in which a connecting assembly is accommodated. The connecting assembly comprises a contact element and a busbar. In particular, the contact element can be designed as a screw-on element, such as a screw bolt. The contact element is designed to make electrical contact from an exterior of the battery module. The busbar is designed to make electrical contact with at least one battery cell accommodated in an interior of the battery module. Furthermore, the contact element and the busbar are mechanically and electrically conductively connected to one another.

[0006] According to the invention, the busbar is connected to the housing, in particular in a form-fitting manner, in such a way that rotation about a longitudinal axis of the busbar is prevented.

[0007] The measures listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous further developments and improvements of the device specified in the independent claim.

[0008] At this point, it should be noted that the connecting assembly serves to electrically contact, in particular, a plurality of battery cells accommodated in an interior of a housing of a battery module through the housing of the battery module and can thus form an electrical connection.

[0009] It is expedient if the busbar has at least one recess into which a projection of the housing engages in a form-fitting manner and / or if the busbar has at least one projection that engages in a form-fitting manner in a recess of the housing. This offers the advantage that a reliable connection can be formed between the busbar and the housing. In particular, a reliable form-fitting connection can be formed.

[0010] In this case, it is furthermore expedient if the at least one recess and / or the at least one projection are arranged on an outer circumference of the busbar. At this point, it should be noted that the connecting assembly has a longitudinal direction which is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the contact element and the longitudinal direction of the busbar. The outer circumference of the busbar delimits an area which is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting assembly, the longitudinal direction of the contact element and the longitudinal direction of the busbar. By arranging the at least one recess and / or the at least one projection on an outer circumference of the busbar in this way, it can be prevented that the busbar rotates about the longitudinal direction or the longitudinal axis relative to the housing when contact is made with the contact element.This can prevent any forces that may occur during such contact from acting on the connection between the busbar and a battery cell accommodated in the interior of the housing of the battery module, which would then place mechanical stress on such a connection.

[0011] In other words, this means that when a connector is mounted from the outside of the battery module on the contact element, which is designed in particular as a screw-on element, such as a screw-on bolt, torques occurring through a screwing process can be absorbed by the connection of the busbar to the housing and do not act on a connection of the busbar to a battery cell.

[0012] It is advantageous if the busbar has a first section and a second section. The first section is designed to electrically contact at least one battery cell accommodated in the interior of the battery module. The second section is mechanically and electrically connected to the contact element.

[0013] Furthermore, the first section and the second section are arranged at right angles to each other.

[0014] At this point, it should also be noted that the aforementioned at least one recess and / or the aforementioned at least one projection are arranged on an outer circumference of the second section. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction or the longitudinal axis of the busbar should correspond to the longitudinal direction of the first section.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the contact element and the busbar are connected to each other in a form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. This allows for reliable transmission of an electrical current from the contact element to the busbar or from the busbar to the contact element.

[0016] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the contact element is furthermore received in a sleeve in a force-fitting and / or positive-locking manner. In particular, this connection is designed such that a fluid-tight connection is formed between the contact element and the sleeve. In particular, the contact element, such as the screw bolt, is pressed into the sleeve. Furthermore, the sleeve is connected to the housing in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

[0017] It should be noted at this point that the force-locking or frictional connection prevents relative movements between the contact element and the sleeve during assembly and / or operation.

[0018] Furthermore, this receptacle for the contact element in the sleeve can be designed in such a way that a reliable seal against liquids is ensured, even without installing a plug or connecting a plug to the contact element. In particular, the press fit of the contact element in the sleeve serves to achieve such a seal.

[0019] Furthermore, the connection of the sleeve to the housing offers the advantage that a support surface for the contact element is formed on the housing by means of the sleeve.

[0020] According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, a sealing element is further arranged circumferentially on an outer side of the sleeve. The sealing element is designed, in particular, as a shrink tube. This allows for a reliable seal to be formed between the housing of the assembly and the connecting assembly.

[0021] At this point it should be noted that the heat shrink tubing can be arranged both before and after the contact element is arranged in the sleeve.

[0022] The heat-shrink tubing is preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer. This offers the particular advantage that thermal activation of this thermoplastic elastomer or thermally activated shrinking can create a tight connection between the sleeve and the heat-shrink tubing, as well as between the heat-shrink tubing and the housing of the assembly, even without installing a connector or connecting a connector to the contact element.

[0023] Furthermore, according to a further preferred aspect of the invention, a sealing element is arranged on an outer side of the housing. The sealing element is arranged, in particular, circumferentially on the outer side of the housing.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a battery module comprising an assembly according to the invention as just described. The assembly is accommodated in a housing of the battery module.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a battery module assembly according to the invention as just described. In this case, a connecting assembly comprising a contact element, in particular a screw-on element, designed for electrical contact from an exterior of the battery module, and further comprising a busbar, designed for electrical contact with at least one battery cell accommodated in an interior of the battery module, which are further mechanically and electrically conductively connected to one another, is overmolded in such a way that the busbar is connected, in particular in a form-fitting manner, to the housing in such a way that rotation about a longitudinal axis of the busbar is prevented.

[0026] At this point, it should be noted that overmolding can be used to create a positive connection between the busbar and the housing of the assembly.

[0027] In particular, the connecting assembly can be inserted into an injection mold for the housing and overmolded using an injection molding process. A sealing element can then also be arranged on the outside of the housing.

[0028] Overall, an embodiment according to the present invention offers the advantage that, due to the particularly form-fitting connection between the housing of the module and the busbar, neither the electrically conductive connection nor the sealing point are exposed to any mechanical pre-stress and are therefore not weakened. Short description of the drawings:

[0029] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description.

[0030] It shows: Fig. 1 a battery module according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows an assembly of a battery module according to the invention in a sectional view and Fig. 3 a connecting assembly of an assembly of a battery module according to the invention in a perspective view.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a battery module 1 according to the invention. The battery module 1 comprises a housing 22 with an interior 9 in which a plurality of Fig. 1, which cannot be seen in the battery cells 10 of the battery module 1. Furthermore, the battery module 1 comprises an assembly 20, which is accommodated in the housing 22 of the battery module 1.

[0032] For example, by means of screw connections 25, the assembly 20 is accommodated in the housing 22 of the battery module 1.

[0033] The assembly 20 serves to electrically contact, in particular, the plurality of battery cells 10 accommodated in the interior 9 of the housing 20 of the battery module 1 through the housing 22 of the battery module 1.

[0034] The Fig. 2 shows an assembly 20 of a battery module 1 according to the invention in a sectional view.

[0035] The assembly 20 comprises a housing 2 in which a connecting assembly 3 is accommodated. The connecting assembly 3 has a contact element 4 and a busbar 5. The contact element 4 is designed in particular as a screw-on element 40, such as a screw-on bolt 41.

[0036] The contact element 4 is designed to make electrical contact from an exterior 8 of the battery module 1.

[0037] Furthermore, the busbar 5 is designed to make electrical contact with at least one battery cell 10 accommodated in an interior 9 of the battery module 1.

[0038] Furthermore, the contact element 4 and the busbar 5 are mechanically and electrically connected to each other.

[0039] The busbar 5 is connected to the housing 2 in such a way, in particular by means of a positive connection, that rotation about a longitudinal axis 55 of the busbar 5 is prevented.

[0040] In particular, the busbar 5 comprises at least one in the Fig. 3, into which a projection 72 of the housing 2 engages in a form-fitting manner, and / or the busbar 5 comprises at least one in the Fig. 3, which engages positively in a recess 71 of the housing 2.

[0041] Furthermore, the contact element 4 is received in a sleeve 11 in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, in particular pressed in. The sleeve 11 is connected to the housing 2 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

[0042] Furthermore, a sealing element 13 is arranged on an outer side 21 of the housing 2, wherein the sealing element 13 is arranged in particular circumferentially on the outer side 21 of the housing 2.

[0043] Fig. 3 shows a connecting assembly 3 of an assembly 20 according to the invention of a battery module 1 in a perspective view.

[0044] First of all, the contact element 4 and the busbar 5 can be seen, which are mechanically and electrically connected to each other.

[0045] Furthermore, the measures already taken in connection with Fig. 2 mentioned at least one recess 61 and the one already mentioned in connection with Fig.2, at least one projection 62 can be seen, which is further arranged on an outer circumference 53 of the busbar 5.

[0046] The busbar 5 has a first section 51 and a second section 52. The first section 51 is designed to electrically contact the battery cell 10 accommodated in the interior 9 of the housing 22 of the battery module 1. The second section 52 is mechanically and electrically connected to the contact element 4.

[0047] The first section 51 and the second section 52 are arranged at right angles to each other.

[0048] In particular, the contact element 4 and the busbar 5 are connected to each other in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

[0049] Furthermore, the contact element 4 is received in a sleeve 11 in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, in particular pressed in. A sealing element 12, in particular a shrink tube 121, is arranged circumferentially on an outer side 111 of the sleeve 11.

Claims

[1] Assembly of a battery module (1) with a housing (2) in which a connecting assembly (3) is accommodated, which has a contact element (4), in particular a screw element (40), designed for electrical contact from an exterior (8) of the battery module (1), and furthermore a busbar (5), designed for electrical contact at least one battery cell (10) accommodated in an interior (9) of the battery module (1), which are further mechanically and electrically connected to one another, characterized by , that the busbar (5) in such a way, in particular in a form-fitting manner, is connected to the housing (2) in such a way that rotation about a longitudinal axis (55) of the busbar (5) is prevented. [2] Assembly according to the preceding claim 1, characterized bythat the busbar (5) has at least one recess (61) into which a projection (72) of the housing (2) engages in a form-fitting manner, and / or the busbar (5) has at least one projection (62) which engages in a form-fitting manner in a recess (71) of the housing (2). [3] Assembly according to the preceding claim 2, characterized by , that which has at least one recess (61) and / or which has at least one lead (62) are arranged on an outer circumference (53) of the busbar (5). [4] Assembly according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the busbar (5) has a first section (51), designed for electrically contacting at least one battery cell (10) accommodated in an interior (9) of the battery module (1), and having a second section (52) arranged at right angles to the first section (51), wherein the second section (52) is mechanically and electrically connected to the contact element (4). [5] Assembly according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the contact element (4) is positively and / or materially connected to the busbar (5). [6] Assembly according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the contact element (4) is furthermore received in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, in particular pressed in, in a sleeve (11) which is connected to the housing (2) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, in such a way that a fluid-tight connection between the contact element (4) and the sleeve (11). [7] Assembly according to the preceding claim 6, characterized by that a sealing element (12), in particular a shrink tube (121), is arranged circumferentially on an outer side (111) of the sleeve (11). [8] Assembly according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that a sealing element (13) is further arranged on an outer side (21) of the housing (2), wherein the sealing element (13) is arranged in particular circumferentially on the outer side (21) of the housing (2). [9] Battery module with an assembly (20) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, which is accommodated in a housing (22) of the battery module (1). [10] Method for producing an assembly (20) of a battery module (1), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a connecting assembly (3) which a contact element (4), in particular a screw-on element (40), designed for electrical contact with an exterior (8) of the battery module (1), and furthermore a busbar (5), designed to electrically contact at least one battery cell (10) accommodated in an interior (9) of the battery module (1), which are further mechanically and electrically conductively connected to one another, is overmolded in such a way that the busbar (5) is connected to the housing (2) in such a way, in particular in a form-fitting manner, that rotation about a longitudinal axis (55) of the busbar (5) is prevented.

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