Battery

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery (1), in particular a traction battery (27) for a motor vehicle (100), comprising a housing (2) and battery cells (4) arranged in the housing (2). Improved temperature control and improved crash properties result from the fact that a side wall (8) of the housing (2) is designed at least in one section as a cooling plate (9) with two cooling plate parts (10), wherein the cooling plate parts (10) are connected to each other by means of tongue and groove connections (14), which at the same time define flowable channels (15) in the cooling plate (9). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (100) with such a battery (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery, in particular a traction battery for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing and battery cells arranged in the housing. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having such a battery.

[0002] To store and provide electrical energy, a battery typically comprises several battery cells. The battery cells are usually housed in a battery casing.

[0003] Temperature control, in particular cooling, of the battery may be necessary, for example, if high performance requirements are placed on the battery, the battery cells are recharged with high power and / or for a short period of time, and the like.

[0004] The present invention is concerned with the object of providing improved or at least different embodiments for a battery of the type mentioned at the outset and for a motor vehicle with 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 ​​designing at least part of the housing of a battery, in which battery cells of the battery are arranged, as a cooling plate through which a cooling medium flows during operation. The cooling plate has two parts that are connected to one another via tongue and groove connections, and the tongues of these connections also form channels through which the cooling medium can flow. The cooling plate thus has defined channels for the cooling medium in the cooling plate, resulting in homogeneous temperature control, even when the cooling plate has a large surface area. At the same time, the tongue and groove connections lead to increased mechanical stability of the cooling plate and thus of the housing, in particular to increased rigidity. As a result, the battery has improved crash properties.

[0007] According to the inventive concept, the battery has the housing. The housing delimits a volume in which battery cells are arranged. The housing has a side wall which is designed as a cooling plate in at least one section. The cooling plate has two parts, which are also referred to below as cooling plate parts. The cooling plate therefore has a first cooling plate part and a second cooling plate part. One of the cooling plate parts is arranged on the side of the other cooling plate part facing away from the volume. The first cooling plate part has ribs that project towards the second cooling plate part and are spaced apart from one another, such that a chamber, also referred to below as a cavity, is formed between adjacent ribs. The second cooling plate part has an associated groove for each rib that is open towards the rib.Each rib engages the corresponding groove, forming a tongue-and-groove connection with the groove. Furthermore, the respective cavity forms a channel with the second cooling plate part, extending along the ribs that define the cavity. A flow path for a cooling medium runs through each channel, so that during operation, the cooling medium regulates the temperature of the battery cells, specifically, cools them, via the cooling plate.

[0008] As explained above, the cavities form the channels with the second cooling plate part. Each channel is therefore defined by two adjacent fins and the second cooling plate part.

[0009] The housing advantageously has a housing tray in which the battery cells are arranged. Furthermore, the housing preferably has a housing cover that closes the housing tray.

[0010] The side wall can be any part of the housing. For example, the side wall, which is at least partially designed as such a cooling plate, can be part of the housing tray.

[0011] In advantageous embodiments, the housing cover includes the cooling plate. Preferably, the housing cover is designed as the cooling plate. This allows for simplified assembly of the battery and also a simplified supply of the cooling medium to the cooling plate.

[0012] The cooling medium can be of any type.

[0013] For example, the cooling medium can be a liquid.

[0014] The cooling medium advantageously circulates in a circuit to be tempered, in particular cooled, within the circuit. For this purpose, at least one heat exchanger can be integrated into the circuit.

[0015] The battery can be used in any application.

[0016] The battery is advantageously a traction battery, i.e. one that supplies electrical energy for propulsion and is conveniently rechargeable.

[0017] The battery, especially the traction battery, is used, for example, in a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is therefore, in particular, a battery-electric vehicle.

[0018] In principle, the first cooling plate part can be arranged on the side of the second cooling plate part facing away from the volume.

[0019] In preferred embodiments, the second cooling plate part is arranged on the side of the first cooling plate part facing away from the volume. This means that the ribs protrude away from the volume. This allows the first cooling plate part to be designed with thinner walls. As a result, increased heat transfer via the first cooling plate part to the volume and thus increased efficiency in temperature control of the battery is achieved.

[0020] Advantageously, the first cooling plate part is flat on the side facing the volume. The first cooling plate part therefore does not reduce the volume. This allows the battery to be designed more compactly. Furthermore, this results in a correspondingly flat heat transfer between the first cooling plate part and the battery cells, which leads to improved and / or more homogeneous temperature control of the battery cells.

[0021] In advantageous embodiments, at least one of the cooling plate parts, preferably the first cooling plate part, has at least one opening through which the flow path leads into or out of the cooling plate. The cooling medium can thus flow into or out of the cooling plate through the respective opening during operation. This results in a simplified design of the battery.

[0022] At least one of the at least one openings advantageously extends elongately in the manner of a gap extending transversely to the channels. This makes it possible to supply two or more channels with the cooling medium using the same opening and / or to discharge cooling medium from two or more channels via the same opening.

[0023] In particular, one of the cooling plate parts, in particular the first cooling plate part, can have such an opening, in particular such a gap, at opposite ends, wherein the flow path leads into the cooling plate through one of the openings and out of the cooling plate through the other opening. This means that, during operation, cooling medium flows into the cooling plate through one of the openings and out of the cooling plate through the other opening.

[0024] It is conceivable to mold or attach structures to the second cooling plate part that result in a targeted influence on the flow of the cooling medium, for example, a local increase or reduction in flow resistance. This makes it possible, in particular, to distribute the cooling medium evenly within the cooling plate or in such a way that this contributes to more homogeneous temperature control, especially of the battery cells.

[0025] The respective rib can be designed to be closed along its entire length. Thus, the channels are fluidically separated from each other along the length of the ribs.

[0026] In advantageous embodiments, at least one of the ribs has at least one interruption that fluidically connects the two channels defined by the rib. In this way, any desired flow between the channels can be easily implemented, in particular to achieve homogeneous temperature control of the battery. Thus, improved temperature control of the battery can be achieved. At the same time, the implementation of the flow between the channels via the ribs leads to a reduced number of required connections of the cooling plate. This leads to simplified manufacture and assembly of the battery. Furthermore, the battery is thus more compact.

[0027] It is conceivable that the first cooling plate part and the second cooling plate part are made of the same material.

[0028] In preferred embodiments, the first cooling plate part and the second cooling plate part are made of different materials, thus the cooling plate is in particular a hybrid component. Thus, the cooling plate can be provided with both reduced weight and increased thermal conductivity and increased mechanical stability.

[0029] Embodiments in which the cooling plate part closest to the volume is an aluminum component and the cooling plate part located on the side facing away from the volume is a plastic component are considered advantageous. This results in improved heat transfer between the cooling medium and the battery cells, while simultaneously resulting in a weight-reduced and mechanically stable battery design.

[0030] Advantageously, the first cooling plate part is an extruded profile, preferably an aluminum extruded profile. Thus, the first cooling plate part is cost-effective and has increased thermal conductivity. In particular, it is thus possible to produce a hollow body profile as a blank for producing the first cooling plate part, which is then separated to produce two such first cooling plate parts.

[0031] The second cooling plate part preferably has protruding and spaced-apart projections on the side facing away from the first cooling plate part. The respective groove is arranged on the side of one of the projections facing the first cooling plate part. This means that the respective groove is arranged on the side of a corresponding one of the projections facing the first cooling plate part. The groove can partially penetrate into the projection. This results in improved mechanical stabilization of the tongue-and-groove connection and consequently in improved crashworthiness of the battery.

[0032] The second cooling plate part is preferably corrugated. For this purpose, the second cooling plate part advantageously has recesses between the projections that penetrate into the cavities. The corrugated design of the second cooling plate part leads to further mechanical stabilization of the housing and thus to further improved crash properties.

[0033] Embodiments in which the cooling plate components are firmly connected to one another in the tongue-and-groove joints are considered advantageous. This prevents or at least reduces unwanted flow of the cooling medium through the tongue-and-groove joints. This means that a more targeted flow of the cooling medium through the cooling plate is achieved, thus resulting in improved and more homogeneous temperature control.

[0034] The respective material connection can be of any type. In particular, it is conceivable to create an adhesive connection in the respective tongue-and-groove joint, i.e., to glue the cooling plate parts together.

[0035] The adhesive bond can be achieved, in particular, by melting the second plastic part, which is designed as a plastic part. This melting can be achieved, in particular, by heating the first cooling plate part.

[0036] In principle, the ribs can be inclined relative to each other.

[0037] In preferred embodiments, the ribs and consequently also the channels run parallel to each other. This leads to simplified battery production and more homogeneous temperature control, especially of the battery cells.

[0038] Accordingly, it is preferred if the grooves and / or the projections and / or the recesses run parallel to one another.

[0039] It is understood that in addition to the battery, a motor vehicle with the battery also belongs to the scope of this invention.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] They show, schematically Fig. 1 an isometric sectional view through a battery with a cooling plate, Fig. 2 an isometric sectional view of the battery in the area of ​​the cooling plate, Fig. 3 another isometric view of the battery, Fig. 4 a highly simplified view of the battery in a motor vehicle.

[0044] A battery 1, as shown in the Fig. 1 to 4, has a housing 2. The housing 2 defines a volume 3 in which battery cells 4 of the battery 1 are arranged. Fig. 1 to 3, the battery cells 4 are, purely by way of example, so-called round cells 5. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the housing 2 has a housing tray 6 and a housing cover 7 closing the housing tray 6. The housing 2 therefore has side walls 8, which form the housing tray 6 and the housing cover 7. As will be explained below and with reference to Fig. 1 to 3, one of the side walls 8, in the embodiments shown the housing cover 7, is designed at least in part as a cooling plate 9.

[0045] The cooling plate 9 comprises two parts 10, namely a first cooling plate part 10, 10a and a second cooling plate part 10, 10b. One of the cooling plate parts 10 is arranged on the side of the other cooling plate part 10 facing away from the volume 3. In the illustrated embodiments, the second cooling plate part 10, 10b is arranged on the side of the first cooling plate part 10, 10a facing away from the volume 3.

[0046] The first cooling plate part 10, 10a has, as the Fig. 1 to 3, has ribs 11 that protrude toward the second cooling plate part 10, 10b and are spaced apart from one another. Thus, a cavity 12 is formed between each adjacent rib 11, which is open toward the second cooling plate part 10, 10b. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the ribs 11 thus protrude from the first cooling plate part 10, 10a, directed away from volume 3. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the ribs 11 run parallel to one another. Thus, the cavities 12 also run parallel to one another.

[0047] The second cooling plate part 10, 10b has a corresponding groove 13 for the respective rib 11 and open towards the rib 11. The respective rib 11 engages in the corresponding groove 13 and forms with the corresponding groove 13, as shown in particular in Fig. 2, a tongue and groove connection 14. In this way, the respective cavity 12 forms with the second cooling plate part 10, 10b a channel 15, which extends along the two ribs 11 delimiting the cavity 12. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the channels 15 thus formed therefore run parallel to one another. During operation, a cooling medium, for example a cooling liquid, flows through the channels 15 in order to temperature-control, in particular to cool, the battery 1, in particular the battery cells 4. Thus, a Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. Thus, in addition to improved temperature control, in particular cooling, of the battery cells 4, increased mechanical stability, in particular improved crash properties, of the battery 2 is achieved.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiments, the cooling plate 9 is a hybrid part 16. This means that the first cooling plate part 10, 10a and the second cooling plate part 10, 10b are made of different materials. In the illustrated embodiments, the first cooling plate part 10, 10a is an aluminum part 17, and the second cooling plate part 10, 10b is a plastic part 18. The aluminum part 17 is preferably an extruded aluminum profile 19. In the illustrated embodiments, the cooling plate parts 10 are integrally connected to one another in the tongue-and-groove joints 14, in particular by adhesive bonding (not shown). This results in improved fluidic separation between the channels 15.

[0049] Such as the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the first cooling plate part 10, 10a is flat on the side facing the volume 3. The battery cells 4 lie on the first cooling plate part 10, 10a, optionally with a layer (not shown) interposed. In the exemplary embodiments shown, in which the battery cells 4 are each designed as round cells 5, the round cells 5 extend elongatedly from the first cooling plate part 10, 10a into the volume 3.

[0050] As particularly in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the second cooling plate part 10, 10b is corrugated in the exemplary embodiments shown. In this case, the second cooling plate part 10, 10b has, on the side facing away from the first cooling plate part 10, 10a and thus on the side facing away from the volume 3, protruding and spaced-apart projections 21. Between the projections 21, the second cooling plate part 10, 10b has recesses 26. The projections 21 and the recesses 26 run parallel to the ribs 11 and the cavities 12. In this case, the respective projection 21 is aligned with an associated one of the ribs 11, wherein the groove 13 associated with the rib 11 is formed on the side of the projection 21 facing the associated rib 11. This also means that the respective groove 13 is arranged on the side of one of the projections 21 facing the first cooling plate part 10, 10a. As in particular Fig. 2 can be removed, the respective recess 26 can be introduced into the cavity 12 running parallel to the recess 26.

[0051] As in Fig. 3, in which the housing tray 7 is not shown, the fluidic supply of the cooling plate 9 with the cooling medium takes place via an opening 22 formed in the first cooling plate part 10, 10a, which in the illustrated embodiment extends elongated in the manner of a gap 23 along the first cooling plate part 10, 10a and transversely to the channels 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 22 is formed in an end region of the first cooling plate part 10, 10a. The cooling medium can be supplied via a Fig. 3 into the housing 2 and then through the opening 22 into the channels 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection 24 is formed on the second cooling plate part 10, 10b. Similarly, the first cooling plate part 10, 10a can have another such opening 22 (not shown) for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling plate 9.

[0052] For the fluidic connection of the channels 15 within the cooling plate 9, at least one of the ribs 11 can have at least one Fig. 2. The interruption 25 thus fluidically connects the two channels 15 delimited by the associated rib 11 in a targeted manner and thus ensures a targeted flow of the cooling medium through the channels 15 and between the channels 15. This results in improved and, in particular, more homogeneous temperature control of the battery cells 4.

[0053] Battery 1 can, as in Fig. 4, be used in a motor vehicle 100. The battery 1 can be a traction battery 27 to drive the motor vehicle 100. As in Fig. 4, the cooling medium can circulate in a circuit 101 during operation. The flow path 20 thus leads through the circuit 101, wherein the cooling plate 9 is integrated in the circuit 101. In the circuit 101, at least one heat exchanger 102 is advantageously also integrated, wherein Fig. 1 only shows one such heat transfer 102. During operation, the heat transfer 102 is used to control the temperature, in particular to cool, of the cooling medium.

Claims

[1] Battery (1), in particular traction battery (27) for a motor vehicle (100), - with a housing (2) which defines a volume (3), - with battery cells (4) arranged in the volume (3), - wherein the housing (2) has a side wall (8) which is designed as a cooling plate (9) at least in one section, - wherein the cooling plate (9) has a first cooling plate part (10, 10a) and a second cooling plate part (10, 10b) and one of the cooling plate parts (10) is arranged on the side of the other cooling plate part (10) facing away from the volume (3), - wherein the first cooling plate part (10, 10a) has ribs (11) projecting towards the second cooling plate part (10, 10b) and spaced apart from one another, so that a cavity (12) is formed between each adjacent rib (11), - wherein the second cooling plate part (10, 10b) has an associated groove (13) open towards the rib (11) for the respective rib (11), - wherein the respective rib (11) engages in the associated groove (13) and forms a tongue and groove connection (14) with the groove (13), - wherein the respective cavity (12) forms with the second cooling plate part (10, 10b) a channel (15) extending along the ribs (11) delimiting the cavity (12), - wherein a flow path (20) of a cooling medium leads through the channels (15), so that during operation the cooling medium tempers the battery cells (4) by means of the cooling plate (9). [2] Battery according to claim 1, characterized by that the second cooling plate part (10, 10b) is arranged on the side of the first cooling plate part (10, 10a) facing away from the volume (3). [3] Battery according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat at least one interruption (25) is formed in at least one of the ribs (11), so that the interruption (25) fluidically connects two adjacent channels (15) to one another. [4] Battery according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the first cooling plate part (10, 10a) and the second cooling plate part (10, 10b) are made of different materials. [5] Battery according to claim 4, characterized by that the first cooling plate part (10, 10a) is an aluminum component (17), in particular an aluminum extruded profile (19), and the second cooling plate part (10, 10b) is a plastic part (18). [6] Battery according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the second cooling plate part (10, 10b) has projections (21) projecting and spaced apart from one another on the side facing away from the first cooling plate part (10, 10a). [7] Battery according to claim 6, characterized bythat the respective groove (13) is arranged on the side of an associated one of the projections (21) facing the first cooling plate part (10, 10a). [8] Battery according to claim 7, characterized by that the second cooling plate part (10, 10b) has recesses (26) between the projections (21) which penetrate into the cavities (12). [9] Battery according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized by that the first cooling plate part (10, 10a) is flat on the side facing the volume (3). [10] Battery according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized by that the first cooling plate part (10, 10a) has at least one opening (22), wherein the flow path (20) leads into the cooling plate (9) or out of the cooling plate (9) through the respective opening (22). [11] Battery according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized bythat the cooling plate parts (10) are integrally connected to one another, in particular glued, in the tongue and groove connections (14). [12] Battery according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the ribs (11) extend parallel to each other. [13] Battery according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that the housing (2) has a housing tray (6) and a housing cover (7) closing the housing tray (6), wherein the housing cover (7) has the cooling plate (9), in particular is designed as the cooling plate (9). [14] Motor vehicle (100) with a battery (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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