Battery module, a battery, and battery with battery modules

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module (1) for a battery (100) which has a cell volume (2) for receiving battery cells (3). Improved cooling and space-saving as well as simple manufacturing result from the fact that a fluid distributor (7) and an intermediate plate (8) are arranged on one side of the cell volume (2), which limit a distributor volume (9), wherein throttle openings (13) of the fluid distributor (7) fluidically connect the distributor volume (9) with the cell volume (2), so that in operation a cooling medium flows homogeneously from the distributor volume (9) via the throttle openings (13) into the cell volume (2). The invention also relates to a battery (100) with at least two such battery modules (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module comprising battery cells for a battery. The invention also relates to a battery, in particular a traction battery, with such battery modules arranged consecutively in the battery.

[0002] A battery comprises battery cells for providing and storing electrical energy. The number and arrangement of the battery cells is usually adapted to the respective needs and circumstances. To simplify the production of such a battery and / or to flexibly meet the needs and / or circumstances, such a battery can comprise battery modules with battery cells that are electrically connected to one another within the battery.

[0003] Such batteries are used particularly for applications requiring increased performance, such as traction batteries. Typically, the battery cells require temperature control, i.e., cooling and / or heating, especially for applications requiring increased performance. Temperature control can be achieved using a cooling medium that flows through the battery, thus controlling the temperature of the battery cells.

[0004] The present invention is concerned with the object of providing improved or at least alternative embodiments for a battery module of a battery of the type mentioned above and for such a battery.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] The present invention is therefore based on the fundamental idea of ​​arranging a plate-shaped fluid distributor in a battery module for a battery in which such battery modules follow one another in one direction, along the direction of the battery cells of the battery module, which plate-shaped fluid distributor is fluidly connected via throttle openings to a volume accommodating the battery cells, such that a cooling medium passes through the throttle openings into the volume and to the battery cells in order to regulate the temperature of the battery cells. In this way, the cooling medium is introduced into the volume in a targeted manner, ensuring a homogeneous flow of the cooling medium through the volume and thus along the battery cells. This results in homogeneous temperature control of the battery cells within the module and throughout the battery, while at the same time being simple to implement and manufacture.

[0007] According to the inventive concept, the battery module has a volume, also referred to below as the cell volume, in which battery cells are accommodated. In an associated battery, at least two such battery modules are advantageously arranged one after the other in the named direction, which is also referred to below as the first direction. The battery cells of the battery module are arranged one after the other in a second direction running transversely to the first direction and in a third direction running transversely to the first direction and transversely to the second direction. The cell volume is open on a first side in the first direction, with the fluid distributor being arranged on the first side. The fluid distributor is plate-shaped.On the side of the fluid distributor facing away from the cell volume, there is an intermediate plate which, together with the fluid distributor, delimits a volume which is also referred to below as the distributor volume. On the side facing the intermediate plate, the fluid distributor has at least one fluid connection with an opening which is fluidically connected to the distributor volume and which is also referred to below as the inlet opening. The fluid connection is also referred to below as the fluid inlet connection. The fluid distributor therefore has at least one fluid inlet connection on the side facing the intermediate plate. Each fluid inlet connection has at least one inlet opening which is fluidically connected to the distributor volume, such that a flow path of a cooling medium leads through the respective fluid inlet connection and via the at least one inlet opening into the distributor volume.During operation, the cooling medium flows into the distribution volume via the respective fluid inlet connection through the respective associated at least one inlet opening. The fluid distributor also has openings open primarily toward the cell volume, which are spaced apart from one another and fluidly connect the distribution volume to the cell volume. These openings are also referred to below as throttle openings. Consequently, the flow path leads from the distribution volume through the throttle openings into the cell volume. During operation, the cooling medium flows from the distribution volume via the throttle openings into the cell volume and thus to the battery cells.

[0008] The throttle openings are arranged in such a way that the cooling medium flows evenly into the cell volume. The throttle openings are positioned in such a way that the cooling medium flows evenly around the battery cells.

[0009] During operation, the cooling medium is used to control the temperature—that is, to cool and / or heat—of the battery cells. For this purpose, the battery cells can be immersed in the cooling medium. Temperature control is thus achieved using a process known as immersion cooling. The cooling medium is preferably a dielectric fluid.

[0010] The battery cells can be of any type.

[0011] The battery cells are primarily electrochemical battery cells.

[0012] In particular, the battery cells can be designed as round cells which extend longitudinally along the first direction.

[0013] The battery module advantageously has a housing that limits the cell volume, which is also referred to below as the module housing.

[0014] The module housing is preferably closed on the first side by the fluid distributor. The fluid distributor thus forms a housing cover for the module housing. The fluid distributor thus combines the functions of fluid distribution and the housing cover. This significantly simplifies and reduces the cost of battery production, while simultaneously reducing the space required.

[0015] The module housing preferably has a base on the side of the cell volume facing away from the fluid distributor, which is also referred to below as the housing base. The housing base preferably delimits the cell volume on a second side, which is opposite the first side in the first direction and thus opposite the fluid distributor. The fluid distributor and the housing base are therefore advantageously arranged opposite one another in the first direction, with the battery cells being arranged between the fluid distributor and the housing base.

[0016] In preferred embodiments, the housing base has openings for discharging the cooling medium from the cell volume, which are also referred to below as collector openings.

[0017] In preferred embodiments, the housing base of the battery defines a volume with the intermediate plate of the adjacent battery module, which is also referred to below as the collection volume. The collection openings thus connect the cell volume with the collection volume, so that the flow path leads from the cell volume through the collection openings into the collection volume. This means that during operation, the cooling medium flows from the cell volume through the collection openings into the collection volume.

[0018] The housing base has at least one fluid port for collecting the cooling medium flowing into the collection volume and discharging it from the battery module, which is also referred to below as the fluid outlet port. The respective at least one fluid outlet port has at least one opening fluidically connected to the collection volume, which is also referred to below as the outlet opening. The flow path of the cooling medium thus leads from the collection volume through the respective outlet opening into the at least one fluid outlet port.

[0019] As explained above, at least two such battery modules are arranged consecutively in the first direction in the battery. The battery thus has two externally arranged battery modules in the first direction, which are also referred to below as the first outer battery module and the second outer battery module.

[0020] On the side facing away from the intermediate plate of the first outer battery module in the first direction, a first end plate is preferably arranged, which has a fluid inlet for the respective fluid inlet connection of the outermost battery module for admitting the cooling medium into the battery. The respective at least one fluid inlet is fluidically connected to the associated fluid inlet connection of the first outer battery module. Advantageously, the respective at least one fluid inlet is plugged into the associated fluid inlet connection of the first outer battery module.

[0021] The battery preferably has a second end plate on the side facing away from the cell volume of the second outer battery module in the first direction. The second end plate is therefore arranged on the side of the housing base of the second outer battery module facing away from the fluid distributor of the second outer battery module in the first direction. The second end plate, together with the housing base of the second outer battery module, can delimit the collection volume for the second outer battery module. This means that in the second outer battery module, the collection volume, unlike the other battery modules, can be delimited not by the housing base and the intermediate plate of the adjacent battery module, but by the housing base and the second end plate.Alternatively, an intermediate plate can be arranged between the second end plate and the housing base of the second outer battery module, which, together with the housing base, defines the collection volume of the second outer battery module. Unlike the other battery modules, in this case the collection volume is not limited by the housing base and the intermediate plate of the adjacent battery module, but by the separately provided intermediate plate.

[0022] The second end plate preferably has at least one fluid outlet for discharging the cooling medium from the battery. The fluid outlet is fluidically connected to the at least one fluid outlet connection of the second outer battery module. Preferably, the at least one fluid outlet is plugged into the at least one fluid outlet connection of the second outer battery module.

[0023] The respective intermediate plate is preferably designed to be thermally insulating, in particular as a thermal barrier. For this purpose, the intermediate plate is expediently made of a material with low thermal conductivity, in particular consisting of such a material.

[0024] The intermediate plate is preferably made of mica, also known as "mica," and is particularly made of mica. This reduces heat transfer between the distribution volume and the collection volume. This results in increased temperature control efficiency.

[0025] In the battery, the fluid inlet connections of the battery modules are preferably fluidically connected to one another and the fluid outlet connections of the battery modules are fluidically connected to one another. This means that in the battery the cooling medium flows to the adjacent battery modules via the fluid inlet connections. This also means that in the battery the cooling medium leads to the adjacent battery modules via the fluid outlet connections. The fluid inlet connections are expediently separated from the fluid outlet connections or are only connected via the throttle openings and outlet openings. The fluid inlet connections of the battery modules are therefore preferably fluidically connected to one another, in particular plugged in, while fluidically separated from the cell volumes. In addition, the fluid outlet connections of the battery modules are fluidically connected to one another, in particular plugged in, while fluidically separated from the cell volumes.

[0026] The battery can be used in any application. In particular, the battery can be used in a motor vehicle.

[0027] The battery is, in particular, a traction battery. In a motor vehicle, the battery is used to power the vehicle, for example, by means of at least one electric motor.

[0028] In the motor vehicle, the first direction preferably runs transversely to a Z direction of the motor vehicle. In particular, the first direction runs along a Y direction and thus transversely to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle.

[0029] Preferred embodiments are those in which the fluid distributor has ribs on the side facing the intermediate plate that protrude in the first direction and are spaced apart from one another in the second direction, which are also referred to below as distributor ribs. The intermediate plate rests on the distributor ribs to form the distributor volume.

[0030] Preferably, the respective distributor rib is interrupted along the third direction, i.e., has at least one interruption along the third direction, which is also referred to below as a distributor interruption. Accordingly, the flow path within the distributor volume leads through the at least one distributor interruption. This results in a more homogeneous flow of the cooling medium through the distributor volume and via the throttle openings to the battery cells. This means that a more homogeneous temperature control of the battery cells is achieved.

[0031] Preferably, the housing base has ribs on the side facing away from the cell volume that protrude in the first direction and are spaced apart from one another in the second direction, which are also referred to below as collector ribs. In the battery, the intermediate plate of the next battery module rests on the collector ribs to form the collection volume. In the second outer battery module, the separately provided intermediate plate can rest on the collector ribs to form the collection volume.

[0032] The respective collector rib is advantageously interrupted in the third direction, i.e., it has at least one interruption in the third direction, which is also referred to below as a collector interruption. The flow path therefore leads through the collector interruptions within the collection volume. This results in a more homogeneous flow of the cooling medium through the collection volume and thus an overall more homogeneous flow through the respective battery module and through the battery. This means that a more homogeneous temperature control of the battery cells and the respective battery module, as well as the battery, is achieved.

[0033] At least one of the collector ribs can have a main section extending along or at an angle to the third direction, from which at least two arms protrude, with such a collector opening being arranged between at least two of the arms. The arms and the main section result in a guided flow of the cooling medium through the collection volume, which leads to a more homogeneous flow through the collection volume and thus to a more homogeneous flow of the cooling medium out of the cell volume. This results in a more homogeneous temperature control of the battery cells.

[0034] In preferred embodiments, the battery cells in the respective battery module are supported on the associated housing base or rest on the housing base. This is preferably done in such a way that the flow path from the undersides facing the housing base is limited by at least some of the battery cells. This means that the cooling medium flows along said undersides during operation and is in contact with them. This results in improved temperature control of the battery cells.

[0035] Preferably, the arrangement of the throttle openings is adapted to the sequence of battery cells within the cell volume. This results in a more homogeneous flow of the cooling medium into the cell volume and along the battery cells, thus resulting in more homogeneous temperature control.

[0036] Preferably, the arrangement of the collector openings is adapted to the sequence of battery cells within the cell volume. This leads to a more homogeneous flow of the cooling medium along the battery cells and thus to more homogeneous temperature control.

[0037] It is preferred if the arrangement of the interruptions, i.e., the arrangement of the distributor interruptions and / or the arrangement of the collector interruptions, are adapted to the sequence of battery cells within the cell volume. This results in a more homogeneous flow of the cooling medium and, consequently, more homogeneous temperature control.

[0038] In advantageous embodiments, the battery cells are arranged in cell rows extending along the second direction and spaced apart from one another in the third direction. Furthermore, the throttle openings are arranged in throttle rows extending along the second direction and spaced apart from one another in the third direction. Alternatively or additionally, the collector openings are arranged in collector rows extending along the second direction and spaced apart from one another in the third direction.

[0039] Preferably, the interruptions, in particular the distributor interruptions, are arranged in rows of interruptions extending along the second direction, which are spaced apart from one another in the third direction.

[0040] The cell rows following one another in the third direction can be offset from one another in the second direction. Advantageously, the choke rows following one another in the third direction are also offset from one another in the second direction. Alternatively or additionally, the collector rows following one another in the third direction are advantageously offset from one another in the second direction.

[0041] Preferably, rows of interruptions following one another in the third direction are offset from one another in the second direction.

[0042] The throttle openings and the collector openings can be arranged in any way in the fluid distributor or in the housing base.

[0043] In preferred embodiments, the throttle openings are formed as a hole pattern in the fluid distributor.

[0044] Preferably, the collector openings are formed as a hole pattern in the housing base.

[0045] The fluid distributor can have at least one bursting element, which is formed in the fluid distributor as a recess directed away from the cell volume. This results in a targeted pressure reduction in the cell volume, for example, in the event of overheating in the cell volume.

[0046] In advantageous embodiments, such a distributor rib of the fluid distributor extends through at least one of the at least one bursting element. Thus, such a distributor rib can extend through the respective bursting element.

[0047] In principle, the fluid distributor can have a single fluid inlet connection.

[0048] The fluid distributor preferably has two fluid inlet ports spaced apart from one another in a second direction, preferably arranged at the edges. This achieves a more uniform flow of the cooling medium into the distributor volume. This results in an overall more homogeneous flow of the cooling medium through the distributor volume and consequently into the cell volume. This means that more homogeneous temperature control is achieved.

[0049] In principle, the housing base can have two or more fluid outlet connections.

[0050] The housing base preferably has a single fluid outlet port, which is advantageously arranged centrally in the second direction. This results in a simplified design of the battery module and thus of the battery.

[0051] The fluid outlet port is preferably arranged in a second direction between the fluid inlet ports and in a third direction at a distance from the fluid inlet ports.

[0052] It is understood that such a battery, in particular such a traction battery, as such also belongs to the scope of this invention.

[0053] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0054] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0055] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components. They show, schematically Fig. 1 an isometric view of a battery with consecutive battery modules and a disassembled battery module in an exploded view, Fig. 2 an enlarged view of the Fig. 1 in the area of ​​battery cells of the dismantled battery module, Fig. 3 a sectional view of the battery, Fig. 3a an enlarged view of a section of the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 an isometric view of a fluid distributor of a battery module, Fig. 5 another isometric view of the fluid distributor, Fig. 6 an isometric view of a housing base of the battery module, Fig. 7 another isometric view of the case back, Fig. 8 an isometric, exploded view of the battery module towards such a fluid distributor, Fig. 9 an isometric, exploded view of the battery module towards such a housing base.

[0056] A battery module 1, as shown in the Fig. 1 to 3, 3a and 8 and 9, is shown in a Fig. 1 to 3, is used. The battery 100 is in particular a traction battery 101 for a Fig. 1 and not shown. The battery 100 has at least two, advantageously several, such battery modules 1. In the Fig. 1 to 3, the battery 100 comprises, purely by way of example, four such battery modules 1. The battery modules 1 are arranged successively along a direction R1, which is also referred to below as the first direction. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the battery modules 1 are stacked in the first direction R1, in particular plugged together, and thus assembled with one another. The battery 100 comprises two outer battery modules 1 along the first direction R1, namely a first outer battery module 1, 1a and a second outer battery module 1, 1b opposite the first outer battery module 1, 1a. In the illustration of Fig. 1, the three battery modules 1 shown on the right are shown in the assembled state and mounted or stacked on top of each other, whereas the fourth battery module 1 shown on the left, which corresponds to the first outer battery module 1, 1a in the illustration, is pulled apart and thus shown in an exploded view.

[0057] When using the battery 100, in particular the traction battery 101, in the motor vehicle 200, the first direction R1 advantageously runs transversely to a Z-direction Z of the motor vehicle 200 and in particular along a Y-direction Y of the motor vehicle 200 and thus transversely to the X-direction X and consequently transversely to the direction of travel.

[0058] The individual battery modules 1 are designed in the exemplary embodiments shown purely as an example, cuboid-shaped. Fig. 1 shows further peripheral components of the battery 100, which, however, are not designated in more detail and can be used, for example, for electrical contacting and for fastening the battery modules 1 to one another.

[0059] The following describes one of the battery modules 1. Since the battery modules 1 are designed identically, the description can be applied analogously to the remaining battery modules 1.

[0060] The battery module 1 has a volume 2 in which electrochemical battery cells 3 are accommodated. The volume 2 is also referred to as cell volume 2 below. How Fig. 1 can be removed, the respective battery module 1 can have a holding structure 15, which holds and / or fixes the battery cells 3 in the cell volume 2. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the battery module 1 has a housing 4, which is also referred to below as module housing 4 and delimits the cell volume 2 and thus accommodates the battery cells 3. The battery cells 3 are in the exemplary embodiments shown, as in particular Fig. 2, the battery cells 3 are designed as so-called round cells 14, which have a cylindrical shape. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the round cells 14 extend longitudinally along the first direction R1. The battery cells 3 are arranged in the cell volume 2 in a second direction R2 running transversely to the first direction R1 and in a third direction R3 running transversely to the first direction R1 and transversely to the second direction R2.

[0061] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the module housing 4 has a lower housing part 32 with a housing base 5 and an upper housing part 6 following the lower housing part 5 in the first direction R1, which upper housing part 6 delimits the cell volume 2. The battery cells 3 of the battery module 1 can be supported on the housing base 5. The cell volume 2 is open on one side along the first direction R1, which is also referred to below as the first side. This also means that the module housing 4 is open on the first side, in the exemplary embodiments shown, opposite the housing base 5 along the first direction R1. On the first side and thus opposite the housing base 5 in the first direction R1, the battery module 1 has a fluid distributor 7 which is of plate-shaped design.In the exemplary embodiments shown, the fluid distributor 7 closes the module housing 4 on the first side and is thus simultaneously designed as a housing cover 17 closing the module housing 4. On the side of the fluid distributor 7 facing away from the cell volume 4 and thus from the battery cells 2, the battery module 1 has a plate 8, which is also referred to below as an intermediate plate 8. As . Fig. 3 can be removed, the fluid distributor 7 and the intermediate plate 8 limit a volume 9, which is also referred to below as distributor volume 9.

[0062] The Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show isometric views of the fluid distributor 7, where Fig. 4 an isometric view of the fluid distributor 7 towards the side facing the intermediate plate 8 and Fig. 5 shows an isometric view of the fluid distributor 7 towards the side facing the cell volume 2. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the fluid distributor 7 has at least one fluid connection 10 on the side facing the intermediate plate 8, which is also referred to below as the fluid inlet connection 10. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the fluid distributor 7 has two such fluid inlet connections 10, which are spaced apart from one another along the second direction R2 and are arranged at the edge of the distributor volume 9 in the second direction R2 and in the third direction R3. The fluid inlet connections 10 are therefore arranged along the third direction R3 in an edge 36 of the distributor volume 9 extending along the second direction R2, which edge 36 is also referred to below as the first edge 36. The respective fluid inlet connection 10 has at least one opening 11, via which a cooling medium can flow into the distributor volume 9 via the fluid inlet connection 10, and which is also referred to below as the inlet opening 11.The respective fluid inlet connection 10 therefore has at least one inlet opening 11 which is fluidically connected to the distributor volume 9, such that a flow path 12 of the cooling medium leads through the respective fluid inlet connection 10 and via the at least one inlet opening 11 into the distributor volume 9. The respective inlet opening 11 therefore preferably opens into the distributor volume 9. The fluid distributor 7 has openings 13 which are open and spaced apart from one another in the primary direction R1 towards the cell volume 2 and which are also referred to below as throttle openings 13. During operation, the cooling medium flows from the distributor volume 9 into the cell volume 2 and thus to the battery cells 3 via the throttle openings 13. The throttle openings 13 therefore fluidically connect the distributor volume 9 to the cell volume 2, such that the flow path 12 leads from the distributor volume 9 through the throttle openings 13 into the cell volume 2.This results in a homogeneous flow of the cooling medium into the cell volume 2 and thus in a more homogeneous temperature control, in particular a more homogeneous cooling, of the battery cells 3.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiments, the battery modules 1 and thus the battery 100 are immersion-tempered. This means that the battery cells 3 are immersed in the cooling medium during operation. The cooling medium is advantageously a dielectric liquid.

[0064] The battery modules 1 are in the embodiments shown, such as the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, it is arranged along the first direction R1 between two end plates 102, 103, namely between a first end plate 102 and a second end plate 103. The first end plate 102 is arranged on the side of the intermediate plate 8 of the first outer battery module 1, 1a facing away from the cell volume 2 or the fluid distributor 7. The second end plate 103 is arranged on the side of the housing base 5 of the second outer battery module 1, 1b facing away from the cell volume 2.

[0065] As in particular Fig. 3, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the respective housing base 5, together with the intermediate plate 8 of the adjacent battery module 1, defines a volume 18, which is also referred to below as the collection volume 18. This applies in the exemplary embodiments shown to all housing bases 5 with the exception of the housing base 5 of the second outer battery module 1, 1b. This housing base 5, together with an additional intermediate plate 8 arranged between the housing base 5 and the second end plate 103, forms the associated collection volume 18.

[0066] The Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show isometric views of the housing base 5, where Fig. 6 a view towards the side of the housing base 5 facing away from the cell volume 2 and Fig. 7 shows a view of the side of the housing bottom facing the cell volume 2. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the housing base 5 in the exemplary embodiments shown has openings 19 which are spaced apart from one another and which fluidically connect the cell volume 2 with the collecting volume 18. These openings 19 are also referred to below as collecting openings 19. As a result, during operation, the cooling medium flows via the collecting openings 19 from the cell volume 2 into the collecting volume 18. This means that the flow path 12 leads from the cell volume 2 through the collecting openings 19 into the collecting volume 18. This also results in a homogeneous flow of the cooling medium from the cell volume 2 and thus in a more homogeneous temperature control, in particular in a more homogeneous cooling, of the battery cells 3. As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 and 9, the housing base 5 in the exemplary embodiments shown has at least one fluid connection 20 for collecting the cooling medium from the collecting volume 18, which is also referred to below as the fluid outlet connection 20. The respective fluid outlet connection 20 has at least one opening 21 connected to the collecting volume 18, which is also referred to below as the outlet opening 21. Thus, during operation, the cooling medium flows from the collecting volume 18 via the respective at least one outlet opening 21 into the at least one fluid outlet connection 20 and thus out of the battery module 1. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the housing base 5 has a single such fluid outlet connection 20. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the fluid outlet connection 20 is spaced apart from the fluid inlet connections 10 in the third direction R3 and is arranged on the edge.In the illustrated embodiments, the at least one fluid outlet port 20 is arranged along the third direction R3 in a second edge 37 of the collection volume 18 extending along the second direction R2, which second edge 37 is arranged opposite the first edge 36 in the third direction R3. In the illustrated embodiments, the fluid outlet port 20 is arranged centrally in the second direction R2.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiments, the throttle openings 13 are formed as a hole pattern 33 in the fluid distributor 7. The collector openings 19 are also formed as a hole pattern 33 in the housing base 5 in the illustrated embodiments.

[0068] As in particular Fig. 3, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the fluid inlet connections 10 of the battery modules 1 are fluidically connected to one another within the battery 100. For this purpose, the fluid inlet connections 10 in the exemplary embodiments shown also extend to the side facing the cell volume 2. The fluid inlet connections 10 are fluidically separated from the cell volume 2 within the cell volume 2. This means that the cooling medium, as shown by the flow paths 12 in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, flows via the fluid inlet connections 10 from the first outer battery module 1, 1a to the second outer battery module 1, 1b and flows into the cell volumes 2 only via the associated fluid distributor 7 and throttle openings 13. Likewise, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the fluid outlet connection 20 of the battery modules 1 is fluidically connected to one another within the battery 100, but fluidically separated from the latter within the cell volumes 2. For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the respective fluid outlet connection 20 also extends to the side facing the cell volume 2. This means that the cooling medium, as can be seen from the flow paths 12 in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, flows via the fluid outlet connections 20 from the first outer battery module 1, 1a to the second outer battery module 1, 1b and flows only by means of the collector openings 19 from the cell volumes 2 into the respective associated collection volume 18 and from the collection volumes 18 via the at least one associated outlet opening 21 into the at least one associated fluid outlet connection 20. In the representations of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, for better differentiation, the flows between the fluid inlet connections 10 and the flows between the fluid outlet connections 20 are shown with large / thick arrows for the flow path 12 and the flows through the distribution volumes 9, through the cell volumes 2 and through the collection volumes 18 are shown with smaller / thinner arrows for the flow path 12.

[0069] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the fluidic connections of the fluid inlet connections 10 and the fluidic connections of the fluid outlet connections 20 are implemented by means of plug-in connections. This means that the fluid inlet connections 10 are plugged into one another. The fluid outlet connections 20 are also plugged into one another. For the fluidic connection of the fluid outlet connections 20 of the adjacent battery modules 1 to one another, the fluid distributor 7 in the exemplary embodiments shown has an associated passage connection 22 for the respective fluid outlet connection 20 of the housing base 5, i.e., in the exemplary embodiments shown, a single passage connection 22, which is fluidically separated from the distributor volume 9 and cell volume 2 and fluidly connected to the fluid outlet connection 20 of the adjacent battery module 1, in the exemplary embodiments shown, plugged in.Likewise, the housing base 5 has an associated passage connection 22 for the respective fluid inlet connection 10 for the fluidic connection of the fluid inlet connections 10 of the adjacent battery modules 1 to one another, i.e., two passage connections 22 in the illustrated embodiments. The respective passage connection 22 of the housing base 5 is fluidically separated from the collection volume 18 and cell volume 2 and fluidically connected to the associated fluid inlet connection 10 of the adjacent battery module 1, plugged in in the illustrated embodiments. The intermediate plate 8 is recessed in the region of the respective connection 10, 20, 22 in the illustrated embodiments (see, for example, FIG. Fig. 1).

[0070] For example, the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 shows that in the exemplary embodiments shown, the first end plate 102 has at least one fluid inlet 104 for introducing the cooling medium into the battery 1. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the first end plate 102 therefore has at least one such fluid inlet 104 for introducing the cooling medium into the distribution volume 9 of the first outer battery module 1, 1a. The respective fluid inlet 104 can be arranged on the pressure side of a conveying device (not shown), for example a pump, for conveying the cooling medium. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the first end plate 102 has an associated fluid inlet 104, i.e., two fluid inlets 104, for the respective fluid inlet connection 10 of the first outer battery module 1, 1a. The respective fluid inlet 104 is fluidically connected to an associated one of the fluid inlet connections 10 of the first outer battery module 1, 1a, plugged in in the exemplary embodiment shown.As a result, during operation, the cooling medium flows via the respective fluid inlet 104 into the associated fluid inlet connection 10 of the first outer battery module 1, 1a and into the distribution volume 9 of the first outer battery module 1, 1a, as well as by means of the fluidic connections of the fluid inlet connections 10 described above to the remaining battery modules 1.

[0071] Such as the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the second end plate 103 has at least one fluid outlet 105 for discharging the cooling medium from the battery 1, to which the respective fluid outlet connection 20 is fluidically connected. The respective fluid outlet 105 can therefore be arranged on the suction side of the conveying device, in particular the pump. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the second end plate 103 has an associated fluid outlet 105 for the respective fluid outlet connection 20 of the second outer battery module 1, 1b, i.e. a single fluid outlet 105. The fluid outlet 105 is fluidically connected to the fluid outlet connection 20 of the second outer battery module 1, 1b, plugged in in the exemplary embodiments shown. The fluid outlet 105 is thus also fluidically connected to the fluid outlet connections 20 of the other battery modules 1. Thus, during operation, the cooling medium flows into the fluid outlet 105 and out of the battery 100.

[0072] Like the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the fluid distributor 7 in the illustrated embodiments has, on the side facing the intermediate plate 8, ribs 16 which protrude in the first direction R1 and are spaced apart from one another in the second direction R2, on which ribs the intermediate plate 8 rests to form the distributor volume 9. The ribs 16 are also referred to below as distributor ribs 16. In the illustrated embodiments, the respective distributor rib 16 has at least one interruption 23 along the third direction R3, which is also referred to below as distributor interruption 23. The cooling medium can therefore flow through the distributor volume 9 via the distributor interruptions 23. This means that the flow path 12 in the distributor volume 9 leads through the distributor interruptions 23. This results in further homogenization of the flow of the cooling medium through the throttle openings 13 and consequently into the cell volume 2 and to the battery cells 3.

[0073] Like the Fig. 3 and Fig. 6, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the housing base 5 has, on the side facing away from the cell volume 2, ribs 24 projecting in the first direction R1 and spaced apart from one another in the second direction R2, which are also referred to below as collector ribs 24. For example, Fig. 3, the intermediate plate 8 of the adjacent battery module 1 or the intermediate plate 8 between the second outer battery module 1, 1b and the second end plate 103 is located to form the collecting volume 18 on the collecting ribs 24. As Fig. 6, the respective collector rib 24 has at least one interruption 25 along the third direction R3, which is also referred to below as collector interruption 25. The flow path 12 leads in the collection volume 18 through the collector interruptions 25. Thus, the coolant can flow through the collector interruptions 25 through the collection volume 18. The flow path 12 thus leads in the collection volume 18 through the collector interruptions 25. As a result, there is a further homogenization of the flow of the cooling medium through the collector openings 19 and thus out of the cell volume 2. Fig. 6, the respective collector rib 24 has such a collector interruption 24 purely by way of example.

[0074] At least one of the collector ribs 24 can, as Fig. 6, have a main section 26 extending along or inclined to the third direction R3, from which at least two arms 27 protrude. A collector opening 19 of this type is arranged between at least two such arms 27. In the illustrated embodiments, several collector ribs 24 have such main sections 26 and arms 27.

[0075] The battery cells 3 are in the embodiments shown, as Fig. 2, are arranged in rows 28 extending along the second direction R2, which are spaced apart from each other in the third direction R3. These rows 28 are also referred to below as cell rows 28. As Fig. 2, successive rows of cells 28 in the third direction R3 are offset from one another in the second direction R2.

[0076] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the throttle openings 13 and the collector openings 19 are adapted to the arrangement of the battery cells 3 and in particular to their sequence. For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiments shown, such as the Fig. 4 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the throttle openings 13 are arranged in rows 29 extending along the second direction R2 and spaced apart from one another in the third direction R3, which are also referred to below as throttle rows 29. Furthermore, successive throttle rows 29 in the third direction R3 are offset from one another in the second direction R2.

[0077] For this purpose, the collector openings 19 are provided in the embodiments shown, such as the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, they are arranged in rows 30 extending along the second direction R2 and spaced apart from one another in the third direction R3, which are also referred to below as collecting rows 30. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiments shown, successive collecting rows 30 in the third direction R3 are offset from one another in the second direction R2.

[0078] How Fig. As can be seen from Figure 4, in the illustrated embodiments, the distributor interruptions 23 are arranged in interruption rows 31 extending along the second direction R2, which are spaced apart from one another in the third direction R3. In this case, successive interruption rows 31 in the third direction R3 are offset from one another in the second direction R2.

[0079] The fluid distributor 7 can, as shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, at least one bursting element 34, which is formed in the fluid distributor 7 as a recess 35 directed away from the cell volume 2. The respective bursting element 34 is thus raised on the side facing away from the cell volume 2 in the first direction R1. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the fluid distributor 7 has a plurality of such bursting elements 34. A distributor rib 16 of the fluid distributor 7 extends through at least one of the at least one bursting element 34, in the exemplary embodiments shown through the respective bursting element 34.

[0080] In the examples shown, as the Fig. 3, the respective distributor volume 9 decreases starting from the inlet openings 11 and thus starting from the fluid inlet connections 10 along the third direction R3. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the respective distributor volume 9 decreases starting from the first edge 36 along the third direction R3 and thus towards the second edge 37. The decrease in the distributor volume 9 is essentially continuous. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the respective collector volume 18 also decreases starting from the at least one outlet opening 21 and thus starting from the fluid outlet connection 20 along the third direction R3 and in the opposite direction to the distributor volume 9. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the respective collector volume 18 decreases starting from the second edge 37 along the third direction R3 and thus towards the first edge 36. The decrease in the collector volume 18 is essentially continuous.

[0081] For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the respective intermediate plate 8 runs inclined to the third direction R3, so that the respective associated distribution volume 9 and collection volume 18 decrease in opposite directions along the third direction R3 as described.

[0082] This is done in the embodiments shown by means of the heights H of the ribs 16, 24 running in the third direction R3 (see Fig.3a). This means that a distributor rib height H, Ha of the distributor ribs 16, extending in the first direction R1, decreases from at least one of the at least one inlet openings 11 along the third direction R3, so that the intermediate plate 8 is inclined relative to the third direction R3 and the distributor volume 9 decreases along the third direction R3. Furthermore, a collector rib height H, Hb of the collector ribs 24, extending in the first direction R1, decreases from at least one of the at least one outlet openings 21 along the third direction R3, so that the intermediate plate 8 is inclined relative to the third direction R3 and the collector volume 18 decreases along the third direction R3 and in the opposite direction to the distributor volume 9.

[0083] In order to also achieve the reduction in the distribution volume 9 of the first outer battery module 1, 1a, the first end plate 102 runs with an inner surface 106 facing the intermediate plate 8 of the first outer battery module 1, 1a inclined to the third direction R3. The inner surface 106 is also referred to below as the first end plate inner surface 106. As described above, the intermediate plate 8 lies on the first end plate inner surface 106 or is supported thereon, so that the distribution volume 9 of the first outer battery module 1, 1a decreases along the third direction R3 as described. To implement the reduction in the collection volume 18 of the second outer battery module 1, 1b, an inner surface 107 of the second end plate 103 facing the housing base 5 of the second outer battery module 1, 1b runs inclined to the third direction R3. This inner surface 107 is also referred to below as the second end plate inner surface 107.The intermediate plate 8 arranged between the housing base 5 of the second outer battery module 1, 1b and the second end plate 103 lies on the second end plate inner surface 107 or is supported thereon, so that the collection volume 9 of the second outer battery module 1, 1b decreases along the third direction R3 as described.

[0084] In the embodiments shown, the respective intermediate plate 8 is designed as a thermal barrier, for example made of mica.

Claims

[1] Battery module (1) for a battery (100) comprising at least two such battery modules (1), wherein the battery modules (1) follow one another in the battery (100) in a first direction (R1), - with a cell volume (2) limited in the battery module (1), in which battery cells (3) are accommodated, - wherein the battery cells (3) follow one another in a second direction (R2) running transversely to the first direction (R1) and in a third direction (R3) running transversely to the first direction (R1) and transversely to the second direction (R2), - wherein the cell volume (2) is open on a first side in the first direction (R1), - with a plate-shaped fluid distributor (7) arranged on the first side, and an intermediate plate (8) arranged on the side of the fluid distributor (7) facing away from the cell volume (2), which plate delimits a distributor volume (9), - wherein the fluid distributor (7) has at least one fluid inlet connection (10) on the side facing the intermediate plate (8), - wherein the respective fluid inlet connection (10) has at least one inlet opening (11) which is fluidically connected to the distributor volume (9), so that a flow path (12) of a cooling medium leads through the respective fluid inlet connection (10) and via the at least one inlet opening (11) into the distributor volume (9), - wherein the fluid distributor (9) has throttle openings (13) which are open and spaced apart from one another in the first direction (R1) towards the cell volume (2), which fluidically connect the distributor volume (9) to the cell volume (2), so that the flow path (12) leads from the distributor volume (9) through the throttle openings (13) into the cell volume (2). [2] Battery module according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the fluid distributor (7) has, on the side facing the intermediate plate (8), distributor ribs (16) projecting in the first direction (R1) and spaced apart from one another in the second direction (R2), on which the intermediate plate (8) lies to form the distributor volume (9), - that the respective distributor rib (16) has at least one distributor interruption (23) along the third direction (R3), so that the flow path (12) in the distributor volume (9) leads through the distributor interruptions (23). [3] Battery module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , - that a housing base (5) delimiting the cell volume (2) is arranged on a second side of the cell volume (2) opposite the first side in the first direction (R1), - that the housing base (5) has spaced-apart collector openings (19) which fluidically connect the cell volume (2) to a collection volume (18) delimited in the battery (100) by the housing base (5) and an intermediate plate (8) of the next battery module (1), so that the flow path (12) leads from the cell volume (2) through the collector openings (19) into the collection volume (18), - that the housing base (5) has at least one fluid outlet connection (10), - that the respective fluid outlet connection (10) has at least one outlet opening (21) which is fluidically connected to the collection volume (18), so that the flow path (12) of the cooling medium leads from the collection volume (18) through the respective outlet opening (21) into the at least one fluid outlet connection (20). [4] Battery module according to claim 3, characterized by , - that the housing base (5) has, on the side facing away from the cell volume (2), collector ribs (24) projecting in the first direction (R1) and spaced apart from one another in the second direction (R2), on which the intermediate plate (8) of the next battery module (1) lies in the battery (100) to form the collector volume (18), - that the respective collector rib (24) has at least one collector interruption (25) along the third direction (R1), so that the flow path (12) in the collection volume (18) leads through the collector interruptions (25). [5] Battery module according to claim 4, characterized by that at least one of the collector ribs (24) has a main section (26) running along or inclined to the third direction (R3), from which at least two arms (27) protrude, wherein such a collector opening (19) is arranged between at least two of the arms (27). [6] Battery module according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , - that the battery module (1) has a module housing (4) which limits the cell volume (2), - that the fluid distributor (8) closes the module housing (4) on the first side. [7] Battery module according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , - that the battery cells (3) are arranged in cell rows (28) extending along the second direction (R2) and spaced from one another in the third direction (R3), - that the throttle openings (13) are arranged in throttle rows (29) running along the second direction (R2) and spaced apart from one another in the third direction (R3). [8] Battery module according to claim 7, characterized by , - that the rows of cells (28) following one another in the third direction (R3) are offset from one another in the second direction (R2), - that the throttle rows (29) following one another in the third direction (R3) are offset from one another in the second direction (R2). [9] Battery module according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized by that the interruptions (23, 25) are arranged in rows of interruptions (31) running along the second direction, which are spaced apart from one another in the third direction (R3). [10] Battery module according to claim 9, characterized by that the rows of interruptions (31) following one another in the third direction (R3) are offset from one another in the second direction (R2). [11] Battery module according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized by that the collector openings (19) are arranged in collector rows (30) running along the second direction (R2) and spaced apart from one another in the third direction (R3). [12] Battery module according to claim 11, characterized by that the collecting rows (30) following one another in the third direction (R3) are offset from one another in the second direction (R2). [13] Battery module according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized bythat the throttle openings (13) are formed as a hole pattern (33) in the fluid distributor (7). [14] Battery module according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized by that the collector openings (19) are formed as a hole pattern (33) in the housing base (5). [15] Battery module according to one of claims 2 to 14, characterized by , - that the fluid distributor (7) has at least one bursting element (34) which is formed in the fluid distributor (7) as a recess (35) directed away from the cell volume (2), - that such a distributor rib (16) runs through at least one of the at least one bursting elements (34). [16] Battery module according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by that the fluid distributor (7) has two such fluid inlet connections (10) spaced apart from one another in the second direction (R2). [17] Battery module according to one of claims 3 to 16, characterized bythat the housing base (5) has a single such fluid outlet connection (20). [18] Battery module according to claims 16 and 17, characterized by that the fluid outlet connection (20) is arranged between the fluid inlet connections (10) in the second direction (R2) and is spaced from the fluid inlet connections (10) in the third direction (R3). [19] Battery module according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized by that the battery cells (3) are designed as round cells (14) which extend elongately in the first direction (R1). [20] Battery module according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized by that the intermediate plate (8) is designed as a thermal barrier. [21] Battery (100), in particular traction battery (101) for a motor vehicle (200), - with at least two battery modules (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which are arranged one after the other in the first direction (R1), so that the battery (100) has a first outer battery module (1, 1a) and a second outer battery module (1, 1b) opposite the first outer battery module (1, 1a) in the first direction (R1), - wherein a first end plate (102) is arranged on the side extending in the first direction (R1) from the intermediate plate (8) of the first outer battery module (1, 1a), which first end plate has a fluid inlet (104) for admitting the cooling medium into the battery (100) for the respective fluid inlet connection (10) of the first outer battery module (1, 1a), which is fluidically connected, in particular plugged, to the associated fluid inlet connection (10) of the first outer battery module (1, 1a). [22] Battery according to claim 21, characterized by , - that a second end plate (103) is arranged on the side of the housing base (5) of the second outer battery module (1, 1b) facing away from the cell volume (2) in the first direction (R1), - that the second end plate (103) has at least one fluid outlet (105) for discharging the cooling medium from the battery (1), which is fluidically connected, in particular plugged, to the at least one fluid outlet connection (20) of the second outer battery module (1, 1b).

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