BATTERY SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery system that can be used, for example, in electric motor-powered vehicles. Such a battery system can also be used in other applications, such as in connection with stationary photovoltaic systems or the like.

[0002] Such battery systems generally comprise comparatively large battery units designed to store large amounts of energy and generate comparatively high operating currents. It is advantageous to operate such battery units within a specified temperature range for efficient operation and to avoid damage.

[0003] EP 2 359 432 B1 discloses a battery system according to the preamble of claim 1, which is designed to prevent the escape of sometimes toxic gases in the event of malfunctions in lithium-ion batteries provided in a vehicle. In this battery system, the battery cells are arranged in a housing that has respective shut-off devices associated with an air inlet area and an air outlet area for selectively opening the housing containing the battery cells for the passage of air conveyed by an air conveying device and for shutting them off against such air flow.

[0004] DE 10 2017 123 274 A1 discloses a household appliance designed, for example, as a vacuum cleaner, in which the air conveyed by a fan can optionally be guided through a housing containing a battery or cells thereof.

[0005] US 2006 / 020868 A1 discloses a battery system for a vehicle in which the battery, intended for example to provide electrical energy for electric motors of a hybrid vehicle, is arranged in a housing. A fan for conveying air through the housing is provided in an air inlet area of ​​the housing. Downstream of the fan and upstream of the battery cells, a heating device is provided, by which the air conveyed through the housing by the fan can be heated.

[0006] US 2012 / 0189893 A1 discloses a battery system in which the battery cells of a battery are arranged in a housing. A fan arranged in an air inlet area of ​​the housing can convey air heated in a heating heat exchanger or air cooled in a cooling heat exchanger into the housing. A valve is arranged upstream of the fan and downstream of the two heat exchangers, which selectively directs the air heated in the heating heat exchanger or the air cooled in the cooling heat exchanger toward the fan.

[0007] WO 2023 / 093502A1 discloses a battery system for a vehicle, in which a battery or its cells are arranged in a housing. A shut-off device is provided in association with an air inlet region and an air outlet region of the housing, respectively, to selectively open the housing for the flow of air or to shut it off against air flow. A charging unit, which can be selectively connected to a vehicle containing the battery system for charging the battery, is designed to convey air toward the air inlet region of the housing via an air flow channel formed in a charging cable coupled to the vehicle during a charging process.

[0008] EP 3 799 188 A1 discloses a battery system with battery cells housed in a housing. A fan can direct air through a channel extending within the housing. The air flowing in the channel can absorb heat emitted by the battery and dissipate it from the area of ​​the housing.

[0009] It is the object of the present invention to provide a battery system, for example for use in electric motor-driven vehicles, with which the temperature of a battery unit can be set or regulated in a simple manner.

[0010] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a battery system, in particular for a vehicle, according to claim 1. The battery system comprises: a battery system housing, wherein the battery system housing has an air inlet region and an air outlet region for air flowing through the battery system housing, at least one battery unit, wherein the at least one battery unit is accommodated in the battery system housing such that air flowing through the battery system housing can flow around it.

[0011] In this battery system, unlike the general practice in electric vehicles, a gas, namely air, is used as the temperature control medium. This results in a significantly simplified design for the components that carry the temperature control medium and enables a comparatively rapid response to temperature changes.

[0012] To enable simple, defined adjustment of the air supply, a first shut-off device is assigned to the air inlet area for selectively blocking the air inlet area against the entry of air into the battery system housing and allowing the air inlet area to enter the battery system housing. Similarly, to enable a defined adjustment of the air discharge, a second shut-off device is assigned to the air outlet area for selectively blocking the air outlet area against the escape of air from the battery system housing and allowing the air outlet area to escape from the battery system housing.

[0013] To generate an air flow, an air conveying device is provided for conveying air through the battery system housing.

[0014] For efficient conveying operation, the air conveying device is provided at the air inlet area or upstream of the air inlet area.

[0015] In order to supply heat to the air to be used for thermal conditioning of the at least one battery unit in order to heat the at least one battery unit, a heating device is provided for heating air flowing through the battery system housing.

[0016] The heating device is provided at the air inlet area or upstream of the air inlet area.

[0017] The heating device is provided upstream of the air conveying device and downstream of the first shut-off device.

[0018] For increased efficiency in thermal conditioning, the at least one battery unit may comprise a plurality of battery cells arranged at a distance from one another in the battery system housing.

[0019] In order to provide a substantially self-sufficient system, it is proposed that at least one of the first shut-off device, second shut-off device, air conveying device, and heating device be supplied with electrical energy from the at least one battery unit. The provision of an additional energy storage device for operating such a system section is then unnecessary.

[0020] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a battery system in a battery heating mode; Fig. 2 the battery system of the Fig. 1 in a battery cooling mode; Fig. 3Battery system of the Fig. 1 in a battery isolation operation.

[0021] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a battery system 10, which can be used, for example, in an electric motor-driven vehicle to supply the traction motors with electrical energy. The battery system 10 comprises a battery system housing 12, constructed, for example, from plastic and / or metal material, in which a battery unit, generally designated 14, is arranged. The battery unit 14 can comprise a plurality of battery cells 16 arranged at least partially spaced apart from one another.

[0022] The battery system housing 12 has an air inlet area 18, which in the illustrated embodiment is channel-like and through which ambient air present in the area of ​​the battery system 10 can enter an interior space 20 of the battery system housing 12 as supply air Z. Likewise, the battery system housing 12 comprises an air outlet area 22, which in the illustrated embodiment is also channel-like and through which the air flowing through the interior space 20 of the battery system housing 12 can be discharged to the environment as exhaust air A.

[0023] In the duct-like air inlet area 18, an air conveying device 24, designed, for example, as a blower, compressor, or the like, is provided with a conveying wheel 26 that can be driven to rotate to convey the supply air Z into the interior space 20 of the battery system housing 12. Under the conveying action of the air conveying device 24, the supply air Z flows into the interior space 22 and, as indicated by flow arrows, flows along the outer surface of the battery unit 14 and also between the spaced-apart battery cells 16 of the battery unit 14. After flowing around the battery unit 14, the exhaust air A leaves the interior space 20 via the air outlet area 22.

[0024] Upstream of the air conveying device 24, a heating device 28 is arranged in the duct-like air inlet region 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating device 28 is electrically operated and comprises, for example, one or more heating conductors that generate heat when an electrical voltage is applied. The supply air Z conveyed through the air inlet region 18 by the conveying wheel 26 of the air conveying device 24, which is essentially at ambient temperature before entering the air inlet region 18, absorbs heat in the region of the heating device 28 and thus enters the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12 in a heated state. As it flows around the battery unit 14, the supply air Z transfers heat to the battery unit 14 and thus leaves the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12 as exhaust air A at a lower temperature than the temperature of the supply air Z heated by the heating device 28.

[0025] In order to release the battery system housing 12 for the flow of air as a temperature control medium, a first shut-off device 32 is assigned to the air inlet area 18, for example, also arranged in the channel-like air inlet area 18 upstream of the heating device 28. The first shut-off device 32 can be designed in the manner of a valve or a throttle valve used, for example, in exhaust systems and can be moved by an associated actuator between a closed position which essentially shuts off the air inlet area 18 against the entry of air and the Fig. 1 shown, which essentially releases the air inlet area 18 for the flow of air.

[0026] A second shut-off device 34 is assigned to the air outlet area 22, for example, arranged in the channel-like air outlet area 22. This can also be designed in the manner of a valve or a control flap and can be arranged by an associated actuator between the Fig. 1 shown and releases the air outlet area 22 for flow and a closed position which essentially blocks the air outlet area 22 against the passage of air.

[0027] The air conveying device 24, the heating device 28 and the two shut-off devices 32, 34 are controlled by a control unit 36. This can, for example, taking into account a temperature signal emitted by a temperature sensor 38, control the various system areas under its control according to the temperature state of the battery unit 14. If the temperature signal emitted by the temperature sensor 38 indicates that the temperature of the battery unit 14 is too low, the control unit 36 ​​can, in the manner described in Fig. 1 illustrated battery heating operation, the two shut-off devices 32, 34 are controlled so that they are in their open position or are brought into this position. Furthermore, the control unit 36 ​​controls the air conveying device 24 for conveying the supply air Z via the air inlet area 18 into the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12, and controls the heating device 28 for generating heat in order to heat the supply air Z. In this case, as the Fig. 1 illustrated, the control unit 36 ​​draws the electrical energy required to operate the various system areas from the battery unit 14, for example from a battery cell 16 of the battery unit 14, so that the battery system 10 can be operated essentially autonomously with regard to energy requirements.

[0028] In battery heating mode, the degree of heating of the battery unit 14 can be adjusted, on the one hand, by adjusting the amount of supply air Z conveyed and, on the other hand, by the amount of heat generated in the heating device 28. For this purpose, the speed of the conveyor wheel 26 and the heating output of the heating device 28 can be adjusted by the control unit 36 ​​according to the required heat demand.

[0029] The Fig. 2 illustrates the battery system 10 in a battery cooling mode. In cooling mode, the supply air Z is conveyed into the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12 with the shut-off devices 32, 34 in the open position and the heating device 28 not energized. For this purpose, the Fig. 2 A control unit 36 ​​(not shown) operates the air conveying device 24 to maintain the required supply air flow rate. The supply air Z, whose temperature corresponds to the ambient temperature, flows through the interior 20 and the battery cells 16 of the battery unit 14 arranged therein, absorbing heat in the process. The exhaust air A, heated relative to the supply air Z, transports heat away from the battery unit 14 upon leaving the battery system housing 12, so that it is cooled and can be maintained within the temperature range optimal for battery operation.

[0030] The Fig. 3 shows the battery system 10 in battery isolation mode. In battery isolation mode, the two shut-off devices 32, 34 are in their closed position, so that essentially no supply air can flow into the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12 via the air inlet area 18 and essentially no exhaust air can escape from the interior 20 via the air outlet area 22. The heating device 18 is not in operation in battery isolation mode and does not generate any heat. The air conveying device 24 can also be deactivated or can be operated to generate air circulation in the interior 20 of the battery system housing 12, for example, with a comparatively low speed of the conveying wheel 26. The battery isolation mode is selected when the air flow generated by the Fig. 1 illustrated temperature sensor 38 is within the optimal temperature range intended for its operation.

[0031] It should be noted that the battery system described above with reference to various operating modes and illustrated in the figures can be varied in various areas. For example, the energy required to operate the various system areas of the battery system can also be provided by an external energy source, such as a low-voltage system in a vehicle. Of course, the control unit controlling the various system areas can also be networked with a vehicle's information system in order to adjust the operation of the battery system 10 for heating, cooling, or maintaining the temperature of the battery unit constant, taking into account other operating parameters of a vehicle.Furthermore, such a battery system can also be used in other applications, in particular stationary applications, for example in conjunction with a photovoltaic system provided on a building or in an open area.

Claims

1. A battery system, in particular for a vehicle, comprising: - a battery system housing (12), wherein the battery system housing (12) has an air inlet region (18) and an air outlet region (22) for the air flowing through the battery system housing (12), - at least one battery unit (14), wherein the at least one battery unit (14) is accommodated in the battery system housing (12) so that air flowing through the battery system housing (12) can flow around it, - a first shut-off device (32) associated with the air inlet region (18) in order selectively to shut off the air inlet region (18) against the inlet of air into the battery system housing (12) and to free the air inlet region (18) for the inlet of air into the battery system housing (12), - a second shut-off device (34) associated with the air outlet region (22) in order selectively to shut off the air outlet region (22) against the outlet of air from the battery system housing (12) and to free the air outlet region (22) for the outlet of air from the battery system housing (12), - an air delivery device (24) provided at the air inlet region (18) or upstream from the air inlet region (18) for delivering air through the battery system housing (12), characterized in that a heating device (28) is provided at the air inlet region (18) or upstream from the air inlet region (18) upstream from the air delivery device (24) and downstream from the first shut-off device (32) for heating air flowing through the battery system housing (12).

2. The battery system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one battery unit (14) comprises a plurality of battery cells (16) arranged spaced apart from one another in the battery system housing (12).

3. The battery system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one device out of the first shut-off device (32), the second shut-off device (34), the air delivery device (24), and the heating device (28) is fed with electrical energy from the at least one battery unit (14).