Battery cell module

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery cell module (1) with a module housing (2) and with battery cells (6) arranged in the module housing (2), wherein the battery cells (6) are arranged adjacent to one another in the module housing (2), wherein the battery cells (6) have a battery cell housing (7) with a first surface (8) and a second surface (9) opposite thereto and each have a degassing device (10) in a first surface (8) for the defined discharge of gases generated in the battery cell (6), wherein the module housing (2) has at least one degassing opening (11) for discharging the gases from the module housing (2), which is arranged opposite a degassing device (10) in the first surface (8) of a battery cell (6), wherein a seal (12) is arranged between the first surface (8) of a battery cell (6) and the module housing (2),which bears sealingly against the first surface (8) of the battery cell (6) and against the module housing (2) and forms a degassing channel (15) between the degassing device (10) and the degassing opening (11), wherein the seal (12) is designed as a circumferential seal (12) and encloses a first portion (13) of the first surface (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a battery cell module, in particular for a motor vehicle.

[0002] Battery cell modules for at least partially electrically powered motor vehicles use battery cell modules to power the electric drive motor, whereby several such battery cell modules can be arranged together in one battery.

[0003] A battery cell module typically contains several battery cells arranged in a module housing. These battery cells, especially the Li-ion type, are known to be prone to thermal events when damaged due to an undesirable chemical reaction among their components. This poses the risk that neighboring battery cells could also be damaged and ignited by the escaping hot gases caused by the thermal event in one battery cell, potentially triggering a chain reaction, which is fundamentally undesirable.

[0004] For this reason, battery cells are known to have a venting device from which the gas from the chemical reaction can escape during a thermal event. To ensure that the gas can escape from the module housing as quickly as possible, a vent opening is provided near the venting device in the module housing, allowing the hot gas escaping from the battery cell to be quickly dissipated and not affect neighboring battery cells.

[0005] If a cooling fluid is to be directly flowed through the module housing to directly cool the battery cells and any electronics, the battery cell's venting device and the module housing's venting opening must be securely and permanently sealed from the fluid-carrying space. Deficiencies remain in this area.

[0006] DE 10 2023 114 201 A1 discloses a sealing device for a housing of a battery, which has a pocket in which an insert is arranged, which consists of a material permeable to a source medium.

[0007] DE 10 2021 131 908 A1 discloses a battery module with a vent opening and a seal surrounding it.

[0008] The task is to create a battery cell module that is reliably sealed compared to the state of the art, so that on the one hand, a safe dissipation of hot gases is possible and on the other hand, the cooling fluid flowing in the module housing does not escape.

[0009] The problem is solved with the features of claim 1.

[0010] An embodiment of the invention relates to a battery cell module with a module housing and with battery cells arranged in the module housing, wherein the battery cells are arranged adjacent to one another in the module housing, wherein the battery cells have a battery cell housing with a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto and each have a degassing device in a first surface for the defined discharge of gases generated in the battery cell, wherein the module housing has at least one degassing opening for discharging the gases from the module housing, which is each arranged opposite a degassing device in the first surface of a battery cell, wherein a seal is arranged between the first surface of a battery cell and the module housing,which bears sealingly against the first surface of the battery cell and the module housing and forms a venting channel between the venting device and the venting opening, wherein the seal is designed as a circumferential seal and tightly encloses a first portion of the first surface. Due to the different sizes of the first surface and the opposite second surface, the battery cell is pressed toward the first surface, whereby the seal is pressed more tightly, thus improving the seal.

[0011] According to the invention, the battery cells are designed as prismatic cells, in which the first surface is formed as a rectangular surface and the opposite second surface is also formed as a rectangular surface. By using prismatic cells, the first surface and the second surface are very well defined and typically often even have the same size and shape.

[0012] According to the invention, the seal encloses a first portion of the first rectangular surface, which is larger than the second portion of the first rectangular surface, which is not enclosed by the seal. The seal rests against the first surface and encloses a first portion of the first surface, while exposing a second portion of the first surface.

[0013] It is also advantageous if the seal tightly encloses the first surface at its edge or adjacent to the edge, so that the entire area of the first surface or a majority of the first surface is tightly enclosed by the seal. This ensures that the seal is securely positioned at the edge and maximizes the first portion of the first surface.

[0014] It is advantageous that the first portion of the first surface is subjected to normal pressure, or a lower pressure in this area than in the area around which the fluid flows. This occurs because the venting opening is open to the outside space, which is under normal pressure, and / or the first portion of the first surface reduces the normal pressure of the cooling medium through the seal.

[0015] It is also advantageous if the module housing has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, so that the module housing can be integrated into a fluid circuit and brought under fluid pressure, allowing the fluid to flow through it in such a way that the fluid pressure acts on the second surface, which is opposite the first surface. This improves cooling.

[0016] It is also advantageous if the fluid pressure is at least 0.5 bar to approximately 3 bar above normal pressure. This improves cooling.

[0017] It is also advantageous if the seal between the battery cell and the module housing is pressed with a pressure resulting from the difference between the force acting on the second surface and the force acting on the first surface. This achieves a higher force for pressing the seal.

[0018] It is also expedient if the force on the second surface results from the area of the second surface multiplied by the fluid pressure on the second surface and the force on the first surface results from the first part of the first surface multiplied by the normal pressure prevailing there and the second part of the first surface multiplied by the fluid pressure. It is also advantageous if the seal between the battery cell and the module housing is pre-tensioned. This achieves a higher pressure for the seal.

[0019] The invention is explained in detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a battery cell module to explain the invention.

[0020] The Fig. 1 shows a section through a battery cell module 1 with a module housing 2.

[0021] The module housing 2 has a fluid inlet 3 and a fluid outlet 4, so that the module housing 2 can be integrated into a fluid circuit and brought under fluid pressure and through which the fluid 5 can flow, and a fluid pressure P1 prevails in the module housing 2. Outside the module housing 2, normal pressure P z .

[0022] Battery cells 6 are arranged in the module housing 2. Only one battery cell 6 is shown, but typically several battery cells 6 are arranged. The battery cells 6 are arranged adjacent to one another in the module housing 2.

[0023] The battery cells 6 have a battery cell housing 7 with a first surface 8 and a second surface 9 opposite thereto.

[0024] For example, the battery cells 6 are designed as prismatic cells, in which the first surface 8 is designed as a rectangular surface and the opposite second surface 9 is also designed as a rectangular surface.

[0025] Alternatively, the battery cell 6 may also have a different shape, for example as a cylindrical round cell or as a coffee bag cell.

[0026] The battery cell 6 has a degassing device 10 in the first surface 8 for the defined discharge of gases arising in the battery cell 6, which gases arise, for example, during a thermal event.

[0027] The module housing 2 has at least one degassing opening 11 for discharging the gases from the module housing 2.

[0028] The vent opening 11 is arranged opposite a vent device 10 in the first surface 8 of a battery cell 6. This allows for rapid removal of the gases.

[0029] A seal 12 is arranged between the first surface 8 of a battery cell 6 and the module housing 2. It seals the module housing 2 against the battery cell 6, preventing fluid 5 from escaping.

[0030] The seal 12 bears sealingly against the first surface 8 of the battery cell 6 and the module housing 2 and, as a circumferential seal 12, forms a degassing channel 15 between the degassing device 10 and the degassing opening 11. The gas can flow along this degassing channel 15 and then exit through the degassing opening 11.

[0031] Since the seal 12 is designed as a circumferential seal 12, it can enclose a first portion 13 of the first surface 8 which is larger than the second portion 14 which is not enclosed by the seal 12 in abutting manner by the first surface 8.

[0032] The seal 12 encloses a first portion 13 of the first rectangular surface 8 adjacent to the first surface 8, which is larger than the second portion 14, which is enclosed by the first rectangular surface 8 and not adjacent to the seal 12.

[0033] This can be designed so that the seal 12 contacts the first surface 8 at its edge, see Fig. 1, or adjacent to the edge, so that the entire surface 8 of the first surface 8, see Fig. 1, or a majority portion of the first surface 8 is enclosed by the seal 12.

[0034] In the example of Fig. 1, the first portion 13 is approximately 100% and the second portion 14 is approximately 0% of the first area 8.

[0035] The fluid pressure P1 acts on the second part 14 of the first surface 8 and the normal pressure P acts on the first part 13 of the first surface 8 Z . The fluid pressure P1 acts on the second surface 9, which is opposite the first surface 8.

[0036] Since the fluid pressure P1 is at least 0.5 bar to about 3 bar above the normal pressure P z the battery cell 6 is pressed against the seal 12 and the seal 12 is pressed against the module housing 2.

[0037] The seal 12 is thereby pressed between the battery cell 6 and the module housing 2 with a pressure which results from the difference between the force on the second surface 9 and the force on the first surface 8.

[0038] The force on the second surface 9 results from the surface area of the second surface 9 multiplied by the fluid pressure P1 on the second surface 9 and the force on the first surface 8 results from the surface area of the first portion 13 of the first surface 8 multiplied by the normal pressure P prevailing there. z and the area size of the second portion 14 of the first area 8 multiplied by the fluid pressure P1.

[0039] It may be advantageous, for example, for the seal 12 to be pre-tensioned between the battery cell 6 and the module housing 2. List of reference symbols 1 battery cell module 2 module housings 3 Fluid inlet 4 Fluid outlet 5 Fluid 6 battery cells 7 Battery cell housing 8 first area 9 second area 10 Degassing device 11 Degassing opening 12 Seal 13 first share 14 second share 15 Degassing channel

Claims

[1] Battery cell module (1) with a module housing (2) and with battery cells (6) arranged in the module housing (2), wherein the battery cells (6) are arranged adjacent to one another in the module housing (2), wherein the battery cells (6) have a battery cell housing (7) with a first surface (8) and a second surface (9) opposite thereto and each have a degassing device (10) in a first surface (8) for the defined discharge of gases generated in the battery cell (6), wherein the module housing (2) has at least one degassing opening (11) for discharging the gases from the module housing (2), which is arranged opposite a degassing device (10) in the first surface (8) of a battery cell (6), wherein a seal (12) is arranged between the first surface (8) of a battery cell (6) and the module housing (2),which lies sealingly against the first surface (8) of the battery cell (6) and against the module housing (2) and forms a degassing channel (15) between the degassing device (10) and the degassing opening (11), , characterized by that the seal (12) is designed as a circumferential seal (12) and tightly encloses a first portion (13) of the first surface (8), wherein the battery cells (6) are designed as prismatic cells, in which the first surface (8) is designed as a rectangular surface and the opposite second surface (9) is also designed as a rectangular surface and wherein the seal (12) tightly encloses a first portion (13) of the first rectangular surface (8), which is larger than the second portion (14) which is not tightly enclosed by the seal (12) of the first rectangular surface (8). [2] Battery cell module (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the seal (12) encloses the first surface (8) at its edge or adjacent to the edge, so that the entire surface of the first surface (8) or a majority portion of the first surface (8) is enclosed by the seal (12). [3] Battery cell module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that normal pressure (P z ) or the pressure in this area is lower than in the area around which the fluid flows. [4] Battery cell module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the module housing (2) has a fluid inlet (3) and a fluid outlet (4), so that the module housing (2) can be integrated into a fluid circuit and can be brought under fluid pressure (P1) and through which the fluid (5) can flow, such that the fluid pressure (P1) acts on the second surface (9), which is opposite the first surface (8). [5] Battery cell module (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the fluid pressure (P1) is at least 0.5 bar to about 3 bar above the normal pressure (P z ) lies. [6] Battery cell module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the seal (12) between the battery cell (6) and the module housing (2) is pressed with a pressure which results from the difference between the force on the second surface (9) and the force on the first surface (8). [7] Battery cell module (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the force on the second surface (9) results from the area of the second surface (9) multiplied by the fluid pressure (P1) on the second surface (9) and the force on the first surface (8) results from the first portion (13) of the first surface (8) multiplied by the normal pressure prevailing there (P z ) and the second portion (14) of the first area (8) multiplied by the fluid pressure (P1). [8] Battery cell module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the seal (12) is pre-tensioned between the battery cell (6) and the module housing (2).

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