Battery

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery (1), in particular a traction battery (20) for a vehicle (100). The battery (1) has a housing (2) in which two cell units (3) are arranged consecutively in a mounting direction (R). Simplified assembly and increased mechanical stability of the battery (1) result from the fact that the cell units (3) have a plug (7) and a socket (8) on their mutually facing sides, wherein an insertion chamfer (11) of the socket (8) and a plug contour (12) of the plug (7) center a plug terminal (9) of the plug (7) and a corresponding socket opening (10) of the socket (8) relative to each other when the cell units (3) are pushed together. The invention also relates to a vehicle (100) with such a battery (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery, in particular a traction battery for a vehicle, which has a housing with cell units arranged within the housing. The invention also relates to a vehicle with such a battery.

[0002] To store and provide electrical energy, a battery typically comprises several battery cells. The battery cells are usually electrically connected within the battery. A group of battery cells can be combined into a single unit, which is also referred to as a cell unit. A battery can comprise two or more such cell units that are electrically connected to one another.

[0003] Such cell units are housed in a battery housing. The electrical connection between the cell units can be achieved by electrically connecting busbars protruding from adjacent cell units, usually by means of screws. This requires access to the busbars. For this purpose, the housing usually has a corresponding opening. This opening must be tightly closed again after the battery has been installed and, in particular, the electrical connection between the busbars has been established. This leads to increased assembly and manufacturing costs.

[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 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 ​​electrically connecting cell units accommodated in a battery housing via a plug and a socket which are designed to be complementary to one another, such that the plug and socket lead to automatic centering of the plug to the socket when the cell units are pushed together. The use of the plug and socket eliminates the need for separate access in the housing, in particular openings in the housing, for the purpose of electrically connecting the cell units to one another. This results in simplified assembly and manufacture of the battery. Furthermore, reductions in the mechanical stability of the housing, in particular reductions in the rigidity of the housing, which are caused by such accesses are avoided. This results in improved crash properties of the battery.

[0007] According to the inventive concept, the battery has two cell units which are arranged in the housing. The cell units follow one another in a direction which is also referred to below as the assembly direction. The cell units which follow one another in the assembly direction are also referred to below as the first cell unit and the second cell unit. The respective cell unit comprises at least two, preferably several, battery cells which are electrically connected to one another in the cell unit. The first cell unit has, on its side facing the second cell unit in the assembly direction, a plug with at least one plug connection protruding along the assembly direction. The second cell unit has, on its side facing the first cell unit in the assembly direction, a socket which has an associated socket opening for the respective plug connection.The respective plug connection is inserted into the corresponding socket opening, electrically connecting the cell units. The socket has an insertion bevel along the assembly direction, and the plug has a connector contour complementary to the insertion bevel. When the cell units are moved toward each other in the assembly direction, particularly when the cell units are pushed together in the housing during battery assembly, the insertion bevel interacts with the connector contour to center the respective plug connection relative to the corresponding socket opening.

[0008] The insertion bevel conveniently runs at an angle to the mounting direction.

[0009] The connector contour conveniently runs at an angle to the mounting direction.

[0010] The angle of the insertion bevel and plug contour as well as their position is such that the respective plug connection is centered to the corresponding socket opening.

[0011] It is understood that the battery may also have three or more consecutive cell units along the assembly direction. In this case, cell units that follow one another along the stacking disc direction may be electrically connected to one another as described for the first cell unit and second cell unit. This means that cell units that follow one another along the stacking disc direction may have such plugs and sockets facing one another. It is therefore particularly conceivable for at least one cell unit to have such a plug and such a socket on sides facing away from one another along the assembly direction. For ease of understanding, the following description refers to two cell units, although it is understood that the description can be applied to the above-described configuration with three or more cell units that follow one another in the assembly direction.

[0012] The battery can be used in any application.

[0013] The battery is advantageously a traction battery, i.e. one that supplies electrical energy for propulsion and is conveniently rechargeable.

[0014] The battery, especially the traction battery, is used, for example, in a vehicle. The vehicle is therefore, in particular, a battery-electric vehicle.

[0015] The socket advantageously has a base that preferably runs transversely to the mounting direction. The base is also referred to below as the socket base. The socket base has at least one socket opening. A socket edge of the socket, which has the insertion bevel, protrudes from the socket base. This means that the insertion bevel is formed on the socket edge. The socket edge therefore has the insertion bevel or forms the insertion bevel. This ensures reliable centering and consequently simplifies the assembly and production of the battery.

[0016] In advantageous embodiments, the connector has a base from which the at least one connector terminal protrudes. The base is also referred to below as the connector base. The connector further has a connector edge protruding from the connector base, on which the connector contour is formed. The connector edge thus has the connector contour or forms the connector contour. This leads to reliable centering and thus simplified assembly and production of the battery.

[0017] It is conceivable that the plug is positioned in the socket when plugged in. This means, in particular, that the insertion bevel surrounds the plug contour when plugged in.

[0018] In advantageous embodiments, the connector contour surrounds the insertion bevel when plugged in. Thus, the insertion bevel is arranged within the connector contour when plugged in, meaning the connector contour encompasses the insertion bevel. The connector can thus be made larger. Thus, the connector with at least one protruding connector terminal is more stable against mechanical influences that occur when the cell units are pushed together. This, in turn, leads to simplified manufacturing and reduced damage.

[0019] Preferably, at least one of the cell units has a frame surrounding the associated battery cells, preferably in the form of a housing.

[0020] In advantageous embodiments, the first cell unit has such a frame, wherein the frame forms the connector contour, preferably the connector edge. This means, in particular, that the connector contour is formed on the frame. Preferably, the frame also forms the connector base. This simplifies production and increases the mechanical stability of the connector.

[0021] In advantageous embodiments, the second cell unit has such a frame, wherein the frame forms the insertion bevel, preferably the beech edge. This means, in particular, that the insertion bevel is formed on the frame. Preferably, the frame also forms the beech base. This leads to simplified production and increased mechanical stability of the socket.

[0022] The battery advantageously features an end stop for the plug and socket. This means that when plugged in, the end stop blocks further movement of the cell units. This prevents or at least reduces damage to the plug and / or socket.

[0023] Advantageously, the end stop is formed on at least one of the cell units.

[0024] Preferably, the end stop on the respective cell unit has a stop surface, wherein the stop surfaces abut one another when the plug is plugged in with the socket.

[0025] In principle, the housing can be manufactured in any way.

[0026] Advantageously, the housing has an extruded profile that is open in the assembly direction, within which the cell units are arranged. This allows for simplified, cost-effective, and precise housing production. Furthermore, the plug and socket eliminate the need for openings in the extruded profile for electrically connecting the cell units. This not only simplifies and costs less, but also increases the mechanical stability, particularly the rigidity, of the housing.

[0027] The open sides of the extruded profile can be closed by means of at least one cover. In this case, the housing has at least one cover that closes the extruded profile, with the cover being advantageously attached to the extruded profile after the cell unit has been pushed together in the extruded profile.

[0028] It is understood that in addition to the battery, a vehicle with the battery also belongs to the scope of this invention.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] They show, schematically Fig. 1 a simplified section through a battery with cell units, a plug and a socket, Fig. 2 an isometric view of the battery connector, Fig. 3 an isometric view of the battery socket, Fig. 4 an isometric sectional view of the plug and socket in the mated state, Fig. 5 a highly simplified view of the battery in the area of ​​the cell units, Fig. 6 a highly simplified view of the battery in a vehicle

[0033] A battery 1, as shown by way of example in the figures, has a merely Fig. 1 shown housing 2. As in particular Fig. 1, at least two cell units 3 are accommodated in the housing 2. The respective cell unit 3 has, in Fig. 1 has battery cells 4, indicated by dashed lines, which are electrically connected to one another in the cell unit 3. The battery cells 4 can be, for example, prismatic cells or pouch cells. In the exemplary embodiments shown, two cell units 3 are shown purely by way of example, namely a first cell unit 3, 3a and a second cell unit 3, 3b, which follow one another in a direction R. The direction R is also referred to below as the assembly direction R. The housing 2 can, according to Fig. 1, have an extruded profile 5 which is open on both sides along the assembly direction R, and in which the cell units 3 are arranged. The open sides of the extruded profile 5 are closed by covers 6 of the housing 2. To assemble the battery 1, the cell units 3 are pushed in the assembly direction R into the housing 2, in the illustrated embodiments into the extruded profile 5. In doing so, the cell units 3 are moved towards one another in the assembly direction R, i.e., pushed together in the assembly direction R.

[0034] Like the Fig. 1 to 5, the cell units 3 have a plug 7 or a socket 8 on the sides facing each other in the assembly direction R. This means that the first cell unit 3, 3a has a plug 7 on its side facing the second cell unit 3, 3b along the assembly direction R, and the second cell unit 3, 3b has a socket 8 on its side facing the first cell unit 3, 3a along the assembly direction R. In the illustrations of Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, purely by way of example, the first cell unit 3, 3a is shown on the left and the second cell unit 3, 3b on the right. The plug 7 has at least one plug connection 9 projecting along the mounting direction R, and the socket 8 has an associated opening 10 for the respective plug connection 9, which is also referred to below as socket opening 10. In the mounted state of the battery 1, the respective plug connection 9 is inserted into the associated socket opening 10 in order to electrically connect the cell units 3 to one another. As the Fig. 2 to 4, the plug 7 in the illustrated embodiments has two plug terminals 9 and the socket 8 has two socket openings 10. The plug terminals 9 are cylindrical in shape purely by way of example in the illustrated embodiments.

[0035] Like the Fig. 2 to 4, the socket 8 has an insertion bevel 11 along the assembly direction R and the plug 7 has a contour 12 complementary to the insertion bevel 11, which is also referred to below as the plug contour 12. The insertion bevel 11 and the plug contour 12 are designed such that when the cell units 3 are moved towards one another in the assembly direction R, i.e. when the cell unit 3 is pushed together in the assembly direction R in the housing 2, the insertion bevel 11 interacts with the plug contour 12 in order to center the respective plug connection 9 relative to the associated socket opening 10.

[0036] Like the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the plug 7 in the illustrated embodiments has a base 13, from which the at least one plug connection 9 protrudes outwards. The base 13 is also referred to below as the plug base 13. In addition, the plug 7 has an edge 14 protruding from the plug base 13, which is also referred to below as the plug edge 14. The plug contour 12 is formed on the plug edge 14. For this purpose, the plug edge 14 runs obliquely to the mounting direction R. According to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the socket 8 in the illustrated embodiments has a base 15 with at least one socket opening 10. The base 15 is also referred to below as socket base 15. In addition, the socket 8 has an edge 16 protruding from the socket base 15, which is also referred to below as socket edge 16. The insertion bevel 11 is formed on the socket edge 16. For this purpose, the socket edge 16 runs obliquely to the mounting direction R. In the plugged state, as in Fig. 4, the plug base 13 and the beech base 15 lie on top of each other.

[0037] How Fig. 4 can be removed, the plug contour 12 can surround the insertion bevel 11 when plugged in. The respective plug connection 9 is inserted into the corresponding socket opening 10 on the side facing away from the socket edge 16.

[0038] As in particular Fig. 1, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the respective cell unit 3 has a housing-like frame 17 which surrounds the battery cells 4 of the cell unit 3. As shown in the Fig. As indicated in Figures 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiments, the insertion bevel 11 and the connector contour 12 are formed by the frame 17 of the associated cell unit 3. This means that the insertion bevel 11 is formed in the frame 17 of the second cell unit 3, 3b, and the connector contour 12 is formed in the frame 17 of the first cell unit 3, 3a. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiments, the connector base 13 and the socket base 15 are each formed by the frame 17 of the associated cell unit 3.

[0039] As in Fig. As indicated in Figure 5, the battery 1 can have an end stop 18 for the plug 7 and the socket 8, such that when plugged in, further movement of the plug 7 and the socket 8 relative to each other is blocked. Fig. 5 shows a separated state of the plug 7 and the socket 8. In Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the end stop 18 is formed on the cell units 3. For this purpose, the cell units 3 have stop surfaces 19 on their sides facing each other along the assembly direction R, which abut against each other when the plug 7 is plugged in with the socket 8 (not shown). As shown in Fig. 5, in the embodiment shown, the stop surface 19 of the first cell unit 3, 3a surrounds the plug 7 and the stop surface 19 of the second cell unit 3, 3b surrounds the socket 8.

[0040] Battery 1 can, as in Fig. 6, be used in a vehicle 100. The battery 1 can be a traction battery 20 to drive the vehicle 100.

Claims

[1] Battery (1), in particular traction battery (20) for a vehicle (100), - with a housing (2), - with a first cell unit (3, 3a) and a second cell unit (3, 3b) which are arranged in the housing (2) and follow one another in an assembly direction (R), - wherein the respective cell unit (3) has at least two, preferably several, battery cells (4) which are electrically connected to one another in the cell unit (3), - wherein the first cell unit (3, 3a) has, on its side facing the second cell unit (3, 3b) along the mounting direction (R), a plug (7) with at least one plug connection (9) projecting along the mounting direction (R), - wherein the second cell unit (3, 3b) has, on its side facing the first cell unit (3, 3a) along the mounting direction (R), a socket (8) which has an associated socket opening (10) for the respective plug connection (9), - wherein the respective plug connection (9) is inserted into the associated socket opening (10) so that the cell units (3) are electrically connected to one another, - wherein the socket (8) has an insertion bevel (11) along the assembly direction (R) and the plug (7) has a plug contour (12) complementary to the insertion bevel (11), such that when the cell units (3) are moved towards one another in the assembly direction (R), the insertion bevel (11) interacts with the plug contour (12) to center the respective plug connection (9) relative to the associated socket opening (10). [2] Battery according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the bushing (8) has a bushing base (15) with at least one bushing opening (10), - that the insertion bevel (11) is formed on a bushing edge (16) of the bushing (8) protruding from the bushing base (15). [3] Battery according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , - that the plug (7) has a plug base (13) from which the at least one plug connection (9) protrudes, - that the plug contour (12) is formed on a plug edge (14) of the plug (7) protruding from the plug base (13). [4] Battery according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the plug contour (12) surrounds the insertion bevel (11) when plugged in. [5] Battery according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the first cell unit (3, 3a) has a frame (17) surrounding the associated battery cells (4), which frame forms the plug contour (12). [6] Battery according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the second cell unit (3, 3b) has a frame (17) surrounding the associated battery cells (4), wherein the frame (17) forms the insertion bevel (11). [7] Battery according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the battery (1) has an end stop (18) for the plug (7) and the socket (8). [8] Battery according to claim 7, characterized by that the end stop (18) is formed on at least one of the cell units (3). [9] Battery according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the housing (2) has an extruded profile (5) which is open along the assembly direction (R) and in which the cell units (3) are arranged. [10] Motor vehicle (100) with a battery (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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