Device for curing potting compound in battery modules

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for curing potting compound in battery modules, comprising a plurality of process chambers (2) which are delimited by thermally insulated chamber walls (3) and each have a closable, thermally insulated chamber door (4), wherein the process chambers (2) have an air supply (5) and an exhaust gas discharge (6), a radiation source (8) designed to emit high-energy radiation and a module carrier (7) movable between a working position and a loading position are arranged in the process chambers (2) in such a way that the module carrier (7) is positioned in the working position in the process chamber (2) in such a way that a battery module arranged thereon is exposed to the high-energy radiation emitted by the radiation source (8), and in the loading position is positioned outside the process chamber (2) in such a way that a battery module can be arranged thereon.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for curing potting compound in battery modules.

[0002] WO 2017 / 060038 A1 discloses a method for producing a battery system. To produce a battery system with improved service life, performance, and safety in a simple and cost-effective manner, the method involves positioning battery cells in the interior of a battery system housing or a mold designed for positioning battery cells and at least partially encapsulating them with at least one encapsulating compound. Furthermore, a corresponding battery system and a suitable reactive resin system or encapsulating compound are described.

[0003] For faster and more thorough curing of the potting compound used in battery modules, the potting compound can advantageously be treated with high-energy radiation, such as IR radiation, UV radiation, and the like.

[0004] One object of the invention is to provide a device that enables such irradiation of battery modules for curing the potting compound using high-energy radiation, such as IR radiation. For safety reasons, the device should protect the environment, especially workers, from radiation, heat, and harmful gases.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a device for curing casting compound in battery modules, which device comprises at least one process chamber delimited by thermally insulated chamber walls and having a closable, thermally insulated chamber door, wherein the process chamber has an air supply and an exhaust gas discharge, a radiation source designed to emit high-energy radiation and a module carrier movable between a working position and a loading position are arranged in the process chamber such that the module carrier is positioned in the working position in the process chamber such that a battery module arranged thereon is exposed to the high-energy radiation emitted by the radiation source and is positioned in the loading position outside the process chamber such that a battery module can be arranged thereon.

[0006] The device can be used advantageously in the manufacture of battery modules, particularly in the curing of the potting compound, while at the same time protecting workers in the surrounding area from radiation, heat and harmful gases.

[0007] In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, two or more process chambers can be provided, wherein adjacent process chambers arranged one above the other have a vertical safety distance from one another. A plurality of process chambers can, for example, be arranged in a matrix on a common frame. For example, four process chambers can be arranged in pairs one above the other and next to each other, i.e. in a 2x2 configuration on the same frame. Other configurations following the same principle, for example 2x3, 3x2, 3x3 process chambers, etc., are of course also possible and are encompassed by the inventive concept. The entire device with all the process chambers arranged thereon can thus be easily moved, for example in the event of an accident, for example transported out of a factory workshop. For this purpose, the frame can, for example, have wheels.

[0008] When the potting compound cures, harmful gases are released that must be removed from the process chamber. This also necessitates the supply of air to prevent negative pressure in the process chamber. For this purpose, one design may provide for the air supply to comprise a ventilation opening located in or below the chamber door. To effectively remove the resulting gases from the process chamber, the exhaust gas discharge may, for example, comprise an extraction opening located in the upper region of a chamber wall opposite the chamber door. A combination of these two designs has the additional advantage of flushing the process chamber diagonally.Relatively cold air enters the process chamber at the front of the chamber, for example, below the chamber door, and displaces the harmful gases, which are extracted from the process chamber at the top of the rear wall. This effectively prevents unwanted escape of harmful gases.

[0009] For effective thermal insulation, the chamber walls can also be lined with glass, ceramic, or mineral fiber mats or fireclay panels. This type of thermal insulation can also be used for the chamber door.

[0010] However, it is advantageous for the chamber door to be at least double-glazed and / or provided with a coating that absorbs or reflects high-energy radiation. Such coatings can be created, for example, by applying high-energy radiation-absorbing or reflecting films. It can also be advantageous for a high-energy radiation-absorbing or reflecting coating to be applied directly to the glass of the chamber door using a thin-film process such as PVD.

[0011] The invention is explained in more detail below using an embodiment and associated drawings.

[0012] Showing: Fig. 1 schematically shows an overall view of a device according to the invention according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 schematically shows an enlarged partial view of the device from Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of the device from Fig. 1.

[0013] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0014] In the illustrated embodiment, the device 1 comprises a frame 11 on which four process chambers 2 are arranged in a 2x2 configuration, i.e., a further horizontal arrangement of two process chambers 2 is arranged above a horizontal arrangement of two process chambers 2. A safety distance 10 is provided between the two lower process chambers 2 and the two upper process chambers 2 to prevent undesired heat transfer between the process chambers 2.

[0015] The process chambers 2 are bounded by thermally insulated chamber walls 3 and each have a lockable, thermally insulated chamber door 4. The chamber doors 4 are hinged at the bottom of the process chambers 2 and therefore open downwards.

[0016] The process chambers 2 have an air supply 5 and an exhaust gas discharge 6. The air supply 5 is designed as a ventilation opening arranged below the respective chamber door 4, and the exhaust gas discharge 6 is designed as an extraction opening arranged in the upper region of a chamber wall 3 opposite the respective chamber door 4.

[0017] A radiation source 8 designed to emit high-energy radiation is arranged in each of the process chambers 2. To dissipate the heat generated during operation of the radiation source 8, two ventilation openings 9 are arranged in the upper chamber walls 3.

[0018] Furthermore, a module carrier 7 is arranged in each of the process chambers 2, which can be moved between a working position and a loading position. In the working position, the module carrier 7 is positioned within the process chamber 2 below the radiation source 8, so that a battery module arranged on the module carrier 7 is exposed to the high-energy radiation emitted by the radiation source 8. In contrast, in the loading position, the module carrier 7 is positioned outside the process chamber 2 so that a battery module can be arranged on it. For this purpose, the module carrier 7 can be pulled out of the process chamber 2 through the open chamber door 4. After loading, the module carrier 7 can be pushed into the process chamber 2 like a drawer.

[0019] The device 1 is designed to enable the curing of four battery modules simultaneously. Each module is located in its own process chamber 2. The process chambers 2 are structurally separated from one another. Each process chamber 2 has a module carrier 7 specially optimized for venting and thermal propagation (TP), which, in the TP case, guides the gases backwards via the plate towards the extraction opening of the exhaust gas discharge 6. The module carrier 7 enables the battery module to be lifted into the device 1 using a crane. With the module carrier 7 inserted, the battery module is positioned below the radiation source 8. The chamber walls 3 of the process chambers 2 are thermally insulated by glass fiber or ceramic fiber mats so that no heat escapes to the outside. The process chambers 2 are exhausted via an extraction system. Fresh air is drawn in through a gap in the air supply 5 below the chamber door 4.The chamber door 4 is double-sided glazed and equipped with a radiation-absorbing film that protects against IR radiation. The process chambers 2 are arranged in a 2x2 configuration, one above the other and one next to the other. A safety distance 10 between the lower and upper process chambers 2 ensures sufficient protection for a battery module in the upper process chamber 2 should a thermal event occur in a lower process chamber 2. For safety reasons, the entire device 1 can be deployed using a forklift truck, for example, by the fire department in the event of a fire.

[0020] The compact device 1 enables simultaneous curing of potting compound in multiple battery modules using IR radiation. At the same time, it provides external protection against IR radiation, heat, and TP drop. List of reference symbols 1 device 2 process chambers 3 chamber wall 4 chamber doors 5 Air supply 6 Exhaust gas discharge 7 module carriers 8 Radiation source 9 Ventilation opening 10 Safety distance 11 frame QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2017 / 060038 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Device (1) for curing potting compound in battery modules, comprising a plurality of process chambers (2) which are delimited by thermally insulated chamber walls (3) and each have a closable, thermally insulated chamber door (4), wherein the process chambers (2) have an air supply (5) and an exhaust gas discharge (6), a radiation source (8) designed to emit high-energy radiation and a module carrier (7) which is movable between a working position and a loading position are arranged in the process chambers (2) in such a way that the module carrier (7) is positioned in the working position in the process chamber (2) in such a way that a battery module arranged thereon is exposed to the high-energy radiation emitted by the radiation source (8), and in the loading position is positioned outside the process chamber (2) in such a way that a battery module can be arranged thereon. [2] Device (1) according to claim 1 characterized bythat adjacent process chambers (2) arranged one above the other have a vertical safety distance (10) from one another. [3] Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by that the air supply (5) comprises a ventilation opening arranged in or below the chamber door (4). [4] Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized by that the exhaust gas discharge (6) comprises a suction opening arranged in the upper region of a chamber wall (3) opposite the chamber door (4). [5] Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized by that the chamber walls (3) are lined with glass, ceramic or mineral fibre mats or fireclay panels for thermal insulation. [6] Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized by that the chamber door (4) is double-glazed and / or provided with a coating that absorbs or reflects high-energy radiation.

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