Battery module and housing of such a

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery module with a plurality of battery cells (2) which are received in an interior (4) of a housing (3) of the battery module (1), wherein a power electronics (5) is further received in the interior (4) of the housing (3) of the battery module (1), wherein the housing (3) has a projection (6) which extends beyond a remaining part (7) of the housing (3), and the power electronics (5) are at least partially received within an interior (41) of the projection (6).

Description

State of the art:

[0001] The invention relates to a battery module according to the preamble of the independent claim. The present invention also relates to a housing for such a module.

[0002] A battery module comprises a plurality of individual battery cells, each with a positive and a negative voltage tap. The voltage taps of these multiple battery cells are electrically connected to one another in a series and / or parallel configuration, thus forming the battery module. Specifically, each battery cell can have a first voltage tap, particularly a positive one, and a second voltage tap, particularly a negative one, which are electrically connected to one another by means of cell connectors, creating a series and / or parallel connection. Battery modules are further interconnected to form batteries or complete battery systems. Disclosure of the invention:

[0003] A battery module with the features of independent claim offers the advantage that the power electronics of the battery module can be reliably temperature controlled.

[0004] According to the invention, a battery module is provided. In particular, the battery module is a 12-volt or a 48-volt battery module. Such a battery module has a plurality of battery cells which are housed within a casing of the battery module. In particular, the battery cells are designed as lithium-ion battery cells. Furthermore, power electronics are housed within the casing of the battery module. In particular, the power electronics are arranged on a printed circuit board.

[0005] According to the invention, the housing has a projection that extends beyond the remaining part of the housing. The power electronics are at least partially housed within the interior of the projection.

[0006] The measures listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous further developments and improvements of the device specified in the independent claim.

[0007] It should be noted that the overhang has a comparably large surface area, allowing heat to be dissipated over a large area.

[0008] It should be noted here that a printed circuit board (PCB), also known as a circuit board, is essentially a carrier element for electronic components, serving primarily for their mechanical mounting and electrical connection to one another. For this purpose, PCBs comprise an electrically insulating material on or within which electrically conductive connections, so-called conductor tracks, preferably made of copper, are arranged. In particular, the electronic components are bonded to the PCB, preferably by soldering, thus also forming an electrically conductive connection with the conductor tracks.

[0009] It is advantageous for the protrusion to be formed on the upper side of the battery module. It should be noted here that the upper side of the battery module is located opposite its lower side. Such an arrangement offers the advantage of a simple design, in which the power electronics are positioned above the majority of the battery cells.

[0010] It is advantageous if the overhang has a longitudinal direction that is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the battery module.

[0011] It should be noted that the battery cells are preferably prismatic in shape and arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the battery module with their largest lateral faces adjacent to each other. When the battery cells are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the battery module, their largest lateral faces, which are arranged perpendicular to the upper and lower lateral faces, are adjacent to each other. It should be noted that in this case, the longitudinal direction of the battery module is perpendicular to the largest lateral faces of the battery cells.

[0012] Furthermore, it should be noted at this point that the longitudinal direction of the overhang is preferably arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction of the power electronics or the printed circuit board.

[0013] This allows for a simple overall arrangement to be provided.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the protrusion is located at the end of the housing in a longitudinal direction of the battery module. This allows heat to be reliably dissipated from the housing.

[0015] The housing is preferably made of a metallic material, such as aluminum. This offers the advantage that reliable heat dissipation can be achieved due to the comparatively good thermal conductivity of the metallic material. In particular, heat is transferred from the power electronics to the circuit board and, via the thermal compensation material, to the housing. A metallic material therefore offers the advantage of low thermal resistance and good heat capacity.

[0016] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the power electronics comprise a first power electronics element and a second power electronics element. The first power electronics element is located within the interior of the overhang. In particular, the first power electronics element is arranged on a first printed circuit board and the second power electronics element is located on a second printed circuit board.

[0017] The first element could, for example, be a power board containing the main current path and exhibiting comparatively high power dissipation. The second element could, for example, be a logic board with comparatively low power dissipation. By arranging the first power electronics element, preferably entirely, within the interior of the overhang, reliable temperature control of elements requiring relatively intensive temperature control is possible.

[0018] It is advantageous to arrange a thermal compensation material within the overhang. In particular, the thermal compensation material is arranged between the housing and the power electronics, or between the housing and the circuit board on which the power electronics are mounted. This ensures reliable heat conduction between the power electronics and the housing.

[0019] It is advantageous if the battery module housing also includes cooling fins that are connected to the overhang and the rest of the housing. This increases the mechanical stability of the housing, especially the overhang, and further improves the temperature control of the battery module.

[0020] Furthermore, it should be noted that the power electronics are preferably located on the inside of the overhang. This ensures a reliable mechanical arrangement.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a housing of a battery module as described above. Brief description of the drawing:

[0022] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description.

[0023] It shows the only Fig. 1 An embodiment of a battery module according to the invention in a sectional view from the side.

[0024] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a battery module 1 according to the invention in a sectional view from the side.

[0025] The battery module 1 comprises a plurality of battery cells 2, which are housed in an interior 4 of a casing 3 of the battery module 1. The casing 3 is made of a metallic material, such as aluminum.

[0026] The housing 3 of the battery module 1 also includes a projection 6, which extends beyond a remaining part 7 of the housing 3. The projection 6 is formed on a top surface 81 of the battery module 1. The top surface 81 is opposite a bottom surface 82 of the battery module 1.

[0027] Furthermore, the overhang 6 has a longitudinal direction 91 which is arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction 92 of the battery module 1.

[0028] It can also be seen that the overhang 6 in the longitudinal direction 92 of the battery module 1 is arranged at the end of the housing 3.

[0029] Furthermore, power electronics 5 are also included in the interior 4 of the housing 3 of the battery module 1.

[0030] Within an interior 41 of the overhang 6, as can be seen from the Fig. As can be seen from 1, the power electronics 5 are at least partially included.

[0031] In particular, the power electronics 5 comprises a first element 51 and a second element 52. The first element 51 is completely enclosed within the interior 41 of the projection 6. The second element 52 is partially enclosed within the interior 41 of the projection 6.

[0032] Furthermore, a thermal compensation material 10 is arranged within the protrusion 6.

[0033] In addition, the housing 3 of the battery module 1 also includes cooling fins 11, which are connected to the overhang 6 and to the remaining part 7 of the housing 3.

Claims

[1] Battery module with a plurality of battery cells (2) which are included in an interior (4) of a housing (3) of the battery module (1), wherein inside (4) the housing (3) of the battery module (1) a power electronics (5) is also included, characterized by , that the housing (3) has a projection (6) which extends beyond a remaining part (7) of the housing (3), and the power electronics (5) are at least partially enclosed within an interior (41) of the projection (6). [2] Battery module according to the preceding claim 1, characterized by , that the protrusion (6) is formed on a top surface (81) of the battery module (1). [3] Battery module according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized by , that the overhang (6) has a longitudinal direction (91) which is arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction (92) of the battery module (1). [4] Battery module according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the projection (6) is arranged at the end of the housing (3) in a longitudinal direction (92) of the battery module (1). [5] Battery module according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the housing (3) is made of a metallic material. [6] Battery module according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the power electronics (5) a first element (51) of the power electronics (5) and a second element (52) of the power electronics (5) comprises the first element (51) of the power electronics (5) being accommodated within the interior (41) of the protrusion (6). [7] Battery module according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that a thermal compensation material (10) is arranged within the protrusion (6). [8] Battery module according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the housing (3) of the battery module (1) includes cooling fins (11) which are connected to the overhang (6) and the remaining part (7) of the housing (3). [9] Housing of a battery module (1), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 8, which an interior (4) in which a plurality of battery cells (2) and power electronics (5) can be accommodated, characterized by , that the housing (3) has a projection (6) which extends beyond a remaining part (7) of the housing (3), and within an interior (41) of the projection (6) the power electronics (5) is at least partially integrable.

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