Battery, vehicle comprising the battery, method for operating the battery

Abstract

Battery (100), in particular a high-voltage battery, wherein the battery (100) comprises a housing (102) and an inner housing (104), the inner housing (104) being arranged in the housing (102), wherein at least one first battery module (106) is arranged in the inner housing (104), and wherein at least one second battery module (108) is arranged in a space (110) between the inner housing (104) and the housing (102). Vehicle comprising the battery (100). Method for operating the battery (100).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a battery and a vehicle comprising the battery, and to a method for operating the battery.

[0002] Currently, an electric vehicle's battery is protected by an outer frame in the event of a crash. Nevertheless, a severe accident can still result in significant deformation and intrusion of the vehicle. This can lead to damage to the battery module or individual battery cells. When battery cells are damaged, a very strong exothermic reaction usually follows. A damaged battery cell heats up considerably due to the deformation and reaches high temperatures, causing it to ignite. Due to the intense heat, neighboring battery cells are also heated. This chain reaction can lead to the entire car catching fire.

[0003] DE 10 2011 086 049 A1 discloses a battery with several battery modules, wherein the battery modules are arranged in an inner housing and the inner housing is in turn arranged in a battery housing.

[0004] A battery, particularly a high-voltage battery, is characterized by comprising a housing and an inner housing, the inner housing being arranged within the housing. At least one first battery module is arranged within the inner housing, and at least one second battery module is arranged in a space between the inner housing and the housing. The battery modules comprise battery cells. By detecting and determining the inevitability of a crash, it is possible to discharge battery cells affected by deformation within the battery modules to, ideally, 0% state of charge (SOC) before the crash. Thus, the battery cells affected in the deformed area contain little to no energy and do not experience thermal runaway as quickly. The arrangement of the battery cells within the module varies in each electric vehicle.However, if these are arranged vertically in the direction of travel, several battery cells must be discharged simultaneously, instead of, for example, only one or two if they were arranged parallel to the direction of travel. The at least one second battery module is an outer module, protected by the housing, i.e., an external battery frame. The at least one first battery module is an inner module, better protected by the housing and the inner housing, i.e., a double frame, since if the outer module is damaged, there is no direct connection between a damaged battery cell in the outer module and a battery cell in the inner module. If the battery is damaged and only the outer module is affected, only the outer module needs to be replaced, allowing the inner module to be reused. This reduces repair costs.

[0005] Preferably, a cavity is arranged in the space between the inner housing and the at least one second battery module.

[0006] Preferably, several first battery modules are stacked in a first direction within the inner housing. In the event of a crash that causes deformation in the first direction, the outermost battery cell is directly affected first and can be discharged first.

[0007] Preferably, at least one second battery module extends across its entire surface in the first direction within the gap. This allows for the replacement of at least one second battery module in case of damage.

[0008] Preferably, at least one second battery module extends in a planar manner in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction in the space between the two modules.

[0009] Preferably, in at least one first battery module and / or in at least one second battery module, several battery cells are arranged side by side in the second direction. In the event of a crash that causes deformation in the second direction, the outermost battery cell is directly affected first and can be discharged first.

[0010] Preferably, in at least one first battery module and / or in at least one second battery module, several battery cells are arranged next to each other in the first direction.

[0011] Preferably, the battery comprises several first battery modules connected by cables of a first thickness, wherein the battery comprises several second battery modules connected by a cable of a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.

[0012] Preferably, the battery comprises several first battery modules, each with a first capacity, and several second battery modules, each with a second capacity, wherein the first capacity is smaller than the second capacity. The higher capacity of the at least one second battery module arranged in the space between the first and second modules is achieved, for example, by using high-performance battery cells in the second battery module. The lower capacity of the second module allows the battery cells of the at least one first battery module arranged in the inner housing to be rapidly discharged when deformation is detected.

[0013] Preferably, the outer casing has a thinner material than the inner casing. The outer frame, i.e., the casing, can be made of the same material as the inner frame, i.e., the inner casing. The outer frame can be thinner than the inner frame, for example, if the battery cells are discharged during a pre-crash phase. This reduces the weight. There is flexibility in the choice of material for the inner frame. For example, a lighter material than that used for the outer frame can be used, thus saving weight.

[0014] A vehicle that incorporates the battery offers corresponding advantages.

[0015] A method for operating the battery, particularly in a vehicle that includes the battery, provides that if an impending deformation of the battery casing is detected, at least one battery module located in the space between the inner casing and the outer casing is discharged first.

[0016] Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the following description and the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a battery, Fig. Two steps in a procedure for operating the battery.

[0017] In Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a battery 100.

[0018] Battery 100, for example, is a high-voltage battery. Battery 100 is, for example, a traction battery for a vehicle. The vehicle includes, for example, Battery 100. The vehicle is, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle for the road.

[0019] The battery 100 comprises a casing 102 and an inner casing 104.

[0020] The inner housing 104 is arranged within the housing 102. The housing 102 and the inner housing 104 are, for example, made of the same material. It is also possible for the housing 102 and the inner housing 104 to be made of different materials. For example, the housing 102 and the inner housing 104 have the same material thickness. Alternatively, the housing 102 may have a thinner material thickness than the inner housing 104. The material thickness refers, for example, to the wall thickness of the housing 102 or the inner housing 104.

[0021] At least one first battery module 106 is arranged in the inner housing 104. For example, several first battery modules 106 are stacked in the inner housing 104.

[0022] At least one second battery module 108 is arranged in a space 110 between the inner housing 104 and the housing 102. For example, several second battery modules 108 are arranged in the space 110 such that the second battery modules 108 completely surround the sides, bottom and lid of the inner housing 104.

[0023] It can be provided that the battery 100 comprises several first battery modules 106, which are electrically connected by at least one cable of a first thickness. It can also be provided that the battery 100 comprises several second battery modules 108, which are electrically connected by at least one cable of a second thickness. The first thickness is, for example, greater than the second thickness.

[0024] The battery 100 comprises, for example, several first battery modules 106, which have an initial capacity.

[0025] The battery 100 comprises, for example, several second battery modules 108, each with a second capacity. The first capacity is, for example, smaller than the second capacity.

[0026] The battery modules each contain several battery cells 112.

[0027] It may be provided that a cavity 114 is arranged in the space 110 between the inner housing 104 and at least one second battery module 108. It may be provided that the space 110 and / or the cavity 110 is used as a space for cooling the battery modules.

[0028] For example, several first battery modules 106 are stacked in a first direction 116 in the inner housing 104.

[0029] At least one second battery module 108 extends into the in Fig. 1. Example shown: flat in the first direction 116 in the space 110.

[0030] At least one second battery module 108 extends into the in Fig. 1. Example shown: flat in a second direction 118 that is essentially perpendicular to the first direction 116 in the space 110.

[0031] In at least one first battery module 106, several battery cells 112 are arranged side by side in the first direction 116. In at least one first battery module 106, several battery cells 112 are arranged side by side in the second direction 118.

[0032] In at least one second battery module 108, several battery cells 112 are arranged next to each other in the second direction 118. In at least one second battery module 108, several battery cells 112 are arranged next to each other in the first direction 116.

[0033] In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 1, several battery cells 112 are arranged side by side in a single layer along one long side of the battery 100 in the first direction 116 within a second battery module 108, which extends horizontally in the first direction 116. In the example shown in Fig. In the example shown in 1, several battery cells 112 are arranged in a single layer next to each other in a second battery module 108 on a short side of the battery 100 in the second direction 118, which extends over a surface in the second direction 118.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 2 shows steps in a procedure for operating the battery 100, particularly in a vehicle that includes the battery 100.

[0035] The procedure includes step 202.

[0036] Step 202 checks whether an impending deformation of the housing 102 of the battery 100 is detected or not.

[0037] If an impending deformation is detected, step 204 is executed. Otherwise, step 202 is executed.

[0038] In step 204, at least one second battery module 108, which is arranged in the space 110 between the inner housing 104 and the housing 102, is first discharged.

[0039] It can be provided that a side of the housing 102 is detected on which the deformation is expected, and that at least one second battery module 108 is discharged, which is arranged in the space 110 on the side of the housing 102 on which the deformation is expected. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2011 086 049 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Battery (100), in particular high-voltage battery, characterized by , that the battery (100) comprises a housing (102) and an inner housing (104), wherein the inner housing (104) is arranged in the housing (102), wherein at least one first battery module (106) is arranged in the inner housing (104), wherein at least one second battery module (108) is arranged in a space (110) between the inner housing (104) and the housing (102). [2] Battery (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that in the space (110) a cavity (114) is arranged between the inner housing (104) and the at least one second battery module (108). [3] Battery (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that several first battery modules (106) are stacked in a first direction (116) in the inner housing (104). [4] Battery (100) according to claim 3, characterized by, that at least one second battery module (108) extends planarly in the first direction (116) in the space (110). [5] Battery (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that at least one second battery module (108) extends over a surface in a second direction (118) that is essentially perpendicular to the first direction (116) in the space (110). [6] Battery (100) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized by , that in at least one first battery module (106) and / or in at least one second battery module (108) several battery cells (112) are arranged next to each other in the second direction (118). [7] Battery (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by , that in at least one first battery module (106) and / or in at least one second battery module (108) several battery cells (112) are arranged next to each other in the first direction (116). [8] Battery (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the battery (100) comprises several first battery modules connected by cables of a first thickness, wherein the battery comprises several second battery modules connected by a cable of a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness. [9] Battery (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the battery (100) comprises several first battery modules (106) having a first capacity, wherein the battery (100) comprises several second battery modules (108) having a second capacity, the first capacity being smaller than the second capacity. [10] Battery (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the housing (102) has a lower material thickness than the inner housing (104). [11] vehicle, characterized by , that the vehicle comprises the battery (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10. [12] Method for operating a battery (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in particular in a vehicle comprising the battery (100), characterized by , that if an impending deformation of the housing (102) of the battery (100) is detected (202), at least one battery module (108) located in the space (110) between the inner housing (104) and the housing (102) is discharged first (204).

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