Battery housing for a high-voltage battery and method for sealing a battery housing of a high-voltage battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery housing (1) for a high-voltage battery of a vehicle, comprising - a housing body (2) which defines a receiving space accessible via a housing opening (4) for receiving a plurality of battery cells or at least one battery module with a plurality of battery cells, and - a housing cover (3), wherein the housing base (2) has a connecting flange (5) onto which the housing cover (3) can be placed and fastened by means of fastening screws (6a, 6b), wherein within the connecting flange (5) a circumferentially extending groove (7) with an open groove contour, a sealant inlet area (8) opening into the groove (7) and through which a liquid sealant (10) can be injected into a sealing channel formed by the groove (7) and the housing cover (3) placed on the connecting flange (5) of the housing base (2), and a sealant outlet area (9) opening into the groove (7) and through which excess sealant (10) can flow out are formed, and wherein within the groove (7) between the sealant outlet area (9) and the sealant inlet area (8) a separating agent (11) is arranged, which is designed toto prevent the excess sealant (10) from flowing over from the sealant outlet area (9) to the sealant inlet area (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery housing for a high-voltage battery and a method for sealing such a battery housing.

[0002] Battery-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles are known from the prior art, both of which include at least one electric motor as a drive system. Hybrid-electric vehicles also have an internal combustion engine as a secondary drive system. To supply the electric motor with energy, such vehicles have a high-voltage battery with multiple rechargeable battery cells, within which energy can be stored electrochemically. Often, several battery cells are combined to form battery modules. The battery cells or battery modules are housed in a battery casing, which has a base body that defines a space for the battery cells or battery modules. During assembly, the base body is closed with a cover, thus protecting the battery cells or battery modules from external influences.

[0003] In battery housings known from the prior art, various methods are used to seal the housing cover to the housing body, depending on the chosen design concept. Both molded seals and liquid sealants, particularly in the form of elastomers such as silicones, can be used.

[0004] DE 10 2013 200 560 A1 discloses a battery housing with an adhesive joint between a housing cover and a housing opening, which is closed by the housing cover.

[0005] DE 10 2019 210 790 B4 discloses a battery housing with a circumferential seal between a lid and an opening which is closed by the lid.

[0006] In the production of a high-voltage battery, when using a liquid sealant, after the battery cells or battery modules have been inserted into the receiving space of the battery housing, the liquid sealant, in particular in the form of a liquid sealing bead, is applied to an upper edge of the housing, for example automatically by means of a robotic device and later also manually in the case of repair, and then pressed in by screwing on the housing cover.

[0007] While the automated application of liquid sealant, especially the bead of sealant, using a robot is generally manageable from a process engineering perspective, problems often arise during repairs when the liquid sealant is applied manually. The dosage and flow of the sealant are subject to a process that is difficult to control in practice. Once the housing cover is screwed on, visual inspection is no longer possible. Insufficient sealant leads to leaks in the battery housing. Excessive sealant often prevents the correct preload of the fastening screws. Furthermore, excess sealant may also leak from the sealing surface between the housing body and the housing cover.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a battery housing for a high-voltage battery and a method for sealing such a battery housing, which enable an improved and, in particular, process-reliable sealing of the battery housing in a simple manner, especially in the case of servicing.

[0009] The solution to this problem is provided by a battery housing for a high-voltage battery with the features of claim 1 and a method for sealing such a battery housing with the features of claim 8. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0010] A battery housing according to the invention for a high-voltage battery of a vehicle comprises - a housing body that defines a receiving space accessible via a housing opening for receiving a plurality of battery cells or at least one battery module with a plurality of battery cells, and - a case cover, wherein the housing body has a connecting flange onto which the housing cover can be placed and fastened by means of fastening screws, wherein within the connecting flange a circumferentially extending groove with an open groove contour, a sealant inlet area opening into the groove and through which a liquid sealant can be injected into a sealing channel formed by the groove and the housing cover placed on the connecting flange of the housing body, and a sealant outlet area opening into the groove and through which excess sealant can flow out are formed, and wherein within the groove between the A separating agent is arranged between the sealant outlet area and the sealant inlet area, which is designed to prevent the excess sealant from flowing over from the sealant outlet area to the sealant inlet area.

[0011] The connecting flange of the housing body of the battery housing according to the invention has a circumferential groove with an open groove contour. This groove is closed by placing and screwing on the housing cover, thus forming a circumferential sealing channel. A liquid sealant can be forced through the sealing channel formed by the groove and the housing cover via the sealant inlet area until excess sealant emerges from the sealant outlet area. After the sealant has hardened, the battery housing is sealed circumferentially in the cover area. The sealing channel formed by the groove and the housing cover has two access points, the sealant inlet area and the sealant outlet area, which are arranged side by side.Within the groove, a separating agent is positioned between the sealant inlet and outlet areas. This prevents any fluid from coming into contact with the sealant between these two areas. This allows the sealant to be injected very easily into the sealing channel, resulting in a virtually flawless sealing surface. This ensures a high level of process reliability. Furthermore, the amount of sealant required to seal the housing cover to the housing body can be adjusted with relative precision.

[0012] In one embodiment, it is proposed that the release agent is formed integrally with the groove. The release agent can then be generated directly during the manufacturing of the groove.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the release agent can be designed as an insert placed in the groove between the sealant outlet and inlet areas. This embodiment has the advantage that the circumferential groove within the connection flange can be manufactured more easily. The subsequent application of the release agent within the groove between the sealant outlet and inlet areas can also be carried out very simply.

[0014] In one embodiment, the sealant inlet area may have a connection adapter to which a sealant supply device can be attached. This simplifies the introduction of the sealant into the sealing channel formed by the groove and the housing cover.

[0015] In one embodiment, it is proposed that the groove has a round groove contour in sections.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, it is possible that the groove has a square groove contour in sections.

[0017] In order to enable effective housing sealing in the area of ​​the release agent, it is proposed in an advantageous embodiment that the release agent be made of an elastomer, in particular silicone.

[0018] A method according to the invention for sealing a battery housing according to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprises the steps: - Providing the battery housing base and housing cover, - Placing the housing cover onto the connection flange of the housing base, - Screwing the housing cover to the connection flange using a number of fastening screws, - Introducing a liquid sealant through the sealant inlet area into a sealing channel formed by the groove and the housing cover, and - Curing of the sealant.

[0019] The method according to the invention offers a high level of process reliability, particularly in service situations.

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. 1. A perspective view of a battery housing with a housing base and a housing cover. Fig. 2 a section through the battery casing along a line II-II in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 an enlarged representation of a detail according to III in Fig. 1, Fig. 4. Make a cut through the battery casing along a line IV-IV in Fig. 1.

[0021] With reference to Fig. 1 comprises a battery housing 1 for a high-voltage battery of a vehicle, in particular a battery-electric or hybrid-electric vehicle, and a housing base 2 that defines a receiving space for receiving a plurality of battery cells or at least one battery module with a plurality of battery cells. The battery cells or the at least one battery module can be inserted into the receiving space of the battery housing 1 through a housing opening 4.

[0022] Furthermore, the battery housing 1 has a housing cover 3, by means of which the housing opening 4 and thus also the housing base 2 can be closed. For this purpose, the housing cover 3 is placed on a circumferential connection flange 5, which laterally limits the housing opening 4, and screwed to the housing base 2 by means of several fastening screws 6a, 6b. These screw connections are in Fig. 2 shown.

[0023] To enable sealing of the battery housing 1, the connection flange 5 has a circumferential groove 7, preferably fully circumferential, with an open groove contour into which a liquid sealant 10, in particular in the form of a sealing bead, can be introduced. The groove 7 can have a round or an angular groove contour in sections.

[0024] As detailed in particular in Fig. 3 and Fig.As can be seen in Figure 4, a sealant inlet area 8 is formed within the connection flange 5, which opens into the groove 7 and through which the sealant 10 can be injected into the groove 7. The sealant inlet area 8 has a connection adapter 80 to which a sealant supply device can be connected. Furthermore, within the connection flange 5, at a distance d from the sealant inlet area 8, a sealant outlet area 9 is formed, which also opens into the groove 7 and through which excess sealant 10 can flow out of the groove 7. A release agent 11 is arranged within the circumferential groove 7.This release agent 11 is dimensioned and positioned within the groove 7 such that it extends between the sealant outlet region 9 and the sealant inlet region 8, thereby preventing the sealant 10 injected into the groove 7 via the sealant inlet region 8 from at least partially flowing back to the sealant inlet region 8 after passing through the groove 7. The length of the release agent 11 preferably corresponds to the distance d between the sealant inlet region 8 and the sealant outlet region 9. Preferably, the release agent 11 is designed as an insert and made of an elastomer, in particular silicone, to achieve an effective seal in this area.

[0025] In a method for sealing the battery housing 1 presented here, the housing cover 3 is first placed onto the connection flange 5 of the housing base 2 and screwed to it, so that the housing opening 4 and thus also the housing base 2 are closed. The groove 7 is closed by the contact of the housing cover 3 with the connection flange 5, forming a circumferential sealing channel. To seal the battery housing 1, the liquid sealant 10 is then injected into the sealing channel of the closed battery housing 1 via the sealant inlet area 8 until it emerges again at the sealant outlet area 9. This ensures that sufficient sealant 10 is injected into the groove 7 and thus into the sealing channel formed together with the housing cover 3, so that a tight seal of the battery housing 1 can be ensured after the sealant 10 has cured.On the other hand, it prevents excess sealant 10 from escaping from the sealing surface between the housing cover 3 and the connection flange 5 of the housing base 2 and prevents an excessive amount of sealant 10 from potentially preventing correct preloading of the fastening screws 6a, 6b.

Claims

[1] Battery housing (1) for a high-voltage battery of a vehicle, comprising - a housing body (2) which defines a receiving space accessible via a housing opening (4) for receiving a plurality of battery cells or at least one battery module with a plurality of battery cells, and - a housing cover (3), wherein the housing base (2) has a connecting flange (5) onto which the housing cover (3) can be placed and fastened by means of fastening screws (6a, 6b), wherein within the connecting flange (5) a circumferentially extending groove (7) with an open groove contour, a sealant inlet area (8) opening into the groove (7) and through which a liquid sealant (10) can be injected into a sealing channel formed by the groove (7) and the housing cover (3) placed on the connecting flange (5) of the housing base (2), and a sealant outlet area (9) opening into the groove (7) and through which excess sealant (10) can flow out are formed, and wherein within the groove (7) between the sealant outlet area (9) and the sealant inlet area (8) a separating agent (11) is arranged, which is designed toto prevent the excess sealant (10) from flowing over from the sealant outlet area (9) to the sealant inlet area (8). [2] Battery housing (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the release agent (11) is integrally formed with the groove (7). [3] Battery housing (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the release agent (11) is designed as an insert which is placed in the groove (7) between the sealant outlet area (9) and the sealant inlet area (8). [4] Battery housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the sealant inlet area (8) has a connection adapter (80) to which a sealant supply device can be connected. [5] Battery housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the groove (7) has a round groove contour in sections. [6] Battery housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that the groove (7) has a square groove contour in sections. [7] Battery housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the release agent (11) is made of an elastomer, in particular silicone. [8] Method for sealing a battery housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps: - Providing the housing base (2) and the housing cover (3) of the battery housing (1), - Placing the housing cover (3) onto the connection flange (5) of the housing base body (2), - Screwing the housing cover (3) to the connection flange (5) using a plurality of fastening screws (6a, 6b), - Introducing a liquid sealant (10) through the sealant inlet area (8) into a sealing channel formed by the groove (7) and the housing cover (3), and - Curing of the sealant (10).

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