Energy-storage device with at least one seal

Abstract

The invention relates to an energy-storage device (100) for a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle, with at least two receiving units (10), in each of which at least one energy store is accommodated and which are preferably arranged in the form of a stack. The energy-storage device (100) is distinguished in particular by the fact that it comprises at least one seal (1, 2, 3), preferably for indicating potential damage to the energy-storage device (100). The invention also relates to an associated method.

Description

[0001] Energy storage device with at least one seal

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to an energy storage device for a motor vehicle (preferably a commercial vehicle) with at least one seal that is useful for indicating (e.g., assessing) potential (particularly mechanical) damage to the energy storage device, e.g., after a crash of the motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a related method.

[0004] Energy storage devices, particularly high-voltage batteries (HV batteries) for motor vehicles, are known in a wide variety of designs. In the event of a crash, particularly in frontal and side-impact crash scenarios, damage to the HV batteries can occur. While this may not lead to thermal events (e.g., fire, ignition, etc.), it can be critical for the continued operation of the motor vehicle (e.g., loss of original properties such as leak-tightness, warping, etc.). Due to the high costs of HV batteries, it is obvious that a blanket replacement of HV batteries after crashes should be avoided.

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a possibility for evaluating the mechanical condition of an energy storage device for a motor vehicle, in particular after a crash of the motor vehicle.

[0006] The object can be achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims or emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0007] The invention relates to an energy storage device for a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle (e.g. truck or bus), with at least two receiving devices (e.g. housing parts), in each of which at least one energy storage device (e.g. a high-voltage battery) is accommodated.

[0008] The at least two receiving devices can preferably be arranged stacked (e.g. on top of each other).

[0009] The at least two receiving devices and thus preferably their at least one energy storage device can be arranged, for example, in multiple layers. The energy storage device is characterized in particular by comprising at least one seal, preferably for indicating (e.g., assessing and / or visualizing) potential (in particular mechanical) damage to the energy storage device (in particular following a crash of the motor vehicle), e.g., one or more relative displacements between different layers (e.g., adjacent receiving devices, a receiving device and a base element and / or a receiving device and a cover element) of the energy storage device.

[0010] The invention represents an advantageously simple and / or cost-effective solution for evaluating (e.g., assessing) the appropriate mechanical integrity of the energy storage device, in particular its receiving devices and / or energy storage devices, which can be advantageously arranged in multiple layers (e.g., one above the other). Due to the structure, preferably with multiple layers, it is possible, for example, to visualize and / or evaluate displacements of the layers relative to one another.

[0011] For this purpose, preferably several seals can be advantageously applied to the energy storage device at defined locations.

[0012] If, for example, at least one seal is obviously intact, it can advantageously be concluded that no or at least no relevant damage to the energy storage device has occurred, in particular no or at least no significant relative displacement between the individual layers.

[0013] The layers can, for example, comprise at least two receiving devices, each with at least one energy storage device, and optionally a base element and / or a cover element.

[0014] The energy storage device may preferably comprise a plurality of seals.

[0015] It is possible that the at least one seal is made of a material cured on the energy storage device (preferably into a solid and / or brittle mass).

[0016] The at least one seal can be made, for example, from a sealing compound applied to the energy storage device.

[0017] On the energy storage device, and thus particularly in its operating state, the at least one seal can be provided in the form of a solid and / or brittle mass. The at least one seal can, for example, be substantially strip-shaped, substantially dot-shaped, and / or substantially rectangular. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one seal can, for example, be formed as a sealing application (e.g., a sealing coating).

[0018] The thickness of the seal application or, in general, of at least one seal can be expediently relatively small or relatively large. The spatial extent of the seal application or, in general, of at least one seal can also be expediently relatively large or relatively small.

[0019] It is possible that at least one seal is made of sealing wax and / or sealing resin, for example.

[0020] The at least one seal can be designed, for example, as a sealing element with an adhesive surface (preferably applied thereto) for adhering to the energy storage device.

[0021] The at least one seal can be designed, for example, as a break-open seal and / or designed to break depending on the crash and / or upon a predefined force and / or deformation.

[0022] It is possible for the at least one seal to adhere to the energy storage device (e.g., to adjacent receiving devices and optionally to the base element and / or lid element mentioned below), e.g., by means of a chemical reaction and / or by means of an adhesive.

[0023] It is possible for at least one seal to connect adjacent receiving devices to one another, to be applied to a transition region (e.g., interface) between adjacent receiving devices, to be made from a material cured on and / or between two adjacent receiving devices, and / or to be made from a sealing compound applied on and / or between adjacent receiving devices. The at least one seal can preferably serve to indicate (e.g., evaluate) a potential relative displacement between adjacent receiving devices, particularly after a crash of the motor vehicle.

[0024] The energy storage device may, for example, comprise a (suitably upper) cover element (in particular a cover plate) and / or a (suitably lower) base element (in particular a base plate) in order to advantageously cover the energy storage device at the top and / or bottom.

[0025] It is possible for at least one seal to connect one of the receiving devices to the floor element, to be applied to a transition region (e.g., interface) between one of the receiving devices and the floor element, to be made from a material cured on and / or between one of the receiving devices and the floor element, and / or to be made from a sealing compound applied on and / or between one of the receiving devices and the floor element. The at least one seal can preferably serve to indicate (e.g., evaluate) a potential relative displacement between one of the receiving devices and the floor element, particularly after a crash of the motor vehicle.

[0026] It is possible for at least one seal to connect one of the receiving devices to the cover element, to be applied to a transition region (e.g., interface) between one of the receiving devices and the cover element, to be made from a material cured on and / or between one of the receiving devices and the cover element, and / or to be made from a sealing compound applied on and / or between one of the receiving devices and the cover element. The at least one seal can preferably serve to indicate (e.g., evaluate) a potential relative displacement between one of the receiving devices and the cover element, particularly after a crash of the motor vehicle.

[0027] The receiving devices can, for example, be essentially rectangular and / or frame-shaped and / or extend around the outside of the energy storage devices in order to advantageously form a housing part for the energy storage devices.

[0028] The energy storage device may preferably comprise a plurality of seals, wherein, for example, at least one seal may be applied to each side surface of the energy storage device.

[0029] The at least one seal may be provided (e.g. continuously or intermittently) circumferentially on the energy storage device.

[0030] The at least one seal is preferably made of a non-metallic material. It is possible for the energy storage device to be an electrical energy storage device and / or for the energy storage devices to be battery modules and / or electrical energy storage devices, preferably high-voltage energy storage devices and / or high-voltage batteries.

[0031] The receiving devices, and thus preferably the energy storage devices, can be stacked one above the other, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the energy storage device can be designed, for example, as a multi-layer battery system.

[0032] The receiving devices can be attached to one another, for example, via one or more fastening elements.

[0033] The sealing material can preferably be designed such that it is applied in a liquid (e.g., viscous) or pasty form and hardens (preferably after a short time) into a brittle and / or solid mass. This advantageously enables easy application and sensitive indication of potential damage.

[0034] It should be mentioned that at least one seal can preferably be applied in the transition area from one layer to the next layer.

[0035] It should also be mentioned that at least one seal can be applied (e.g., applied and / or applied) in a suitable manner, e.g., manually or by automated means.

[0036] The invention also relates to a method for sealing an energy storage device for a motor vehicle, wherein the energy storage device can preferably be designed as disclosed herein.

[0037] The energy storage device comprises at least two receiving devices, in each of which at least one energy storage device is accommodated and which can preferably be arranged in a stacked manner, wherein at least one seal is applied to the energy storage device (e.g. manually and / or machine-automatically), preferably for indicating potential (in particular mechanical) damage to the energy storage device.

[0038] The at least one seal can be applied, for example, in liquid (e.g., viscous) and / or pasty form and / or harden on the energy storage device, preferably into a solid and / or brittle mass. The disclosure regarding the energy storage device also applies to the method, and vice versa.

[0039] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle (e.g. truck or bus), with an energy storage device as disclosed herein.

[0040] The previously described preferred embodiments and features of the invention can be combined with one another. Advantageous further developments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims or emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the attached figure.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferably electrical energy storage device 100 for a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is preferably a commercial vehicle, in particular a truck or a bus.

[0043] The energy storage device 100 comprises, for example, four receiving devices 10, each of which houses at least one energy storage device (e.g., a high-voltage battery) and which are expediently arranged stacked one on top of the other. The receiving devices 10, and in particular their at least one energy storage device, are thus arranged, for example, in four layers.

[0044] The energy storage device 100 comprises a (suitably lower) base element 20 (in particular a base plate) and a (suitably upper) cover element 30 (in particular a cover plate) in order to be able to cover the energy storage device 100 suitably at the bottom and top.

[0045] A special feature is that the energy storage device 100 preferably comprises a plurality of seals, of which, for the sake of clarity, only some are provided with the reference numerals 1, 2 and 3 in Figure 1.

[0046] Seals 1, 2, 3 serve to indicate (e.g., assess) potential (in particular mechanical) damage to energy storage device 100, particularly after a crash of the motor vehicle. Seals 1, 2, 3 can be designed, for example, as breakable seals and are preferably designed to break depending on the crash and / or upon a predefined force and / or deformation.

[0047] Intact, in particular unbroken, seals 1, 2, 3 show, for example, that the energy storage device 100 is not damaged or at least not significantly damaged, so that a replacement of one or more receiving devices 10 together with the energy storage device is not absolutely necessary.

[0048] Damaged, in particular broken, seals 1, 2, 3 show, for example, that the energy storage device 100 is damaged, in particular is damaged to such an extent that replacement of one or more receiving devices 10 together with the energy storage device is advisable.

[0049] The seals 1, 2, 3 are preferably made of a material cured on the energy storage device 100, preferably into a solid, brittle mass, e.g., from a sealing compound applied (suitably applied) to the energy storage device 100. The application can be carried out, for example, manually or by a machine-automated process.

[0050] The sealing material is preferably designed so that it is applied in liquid form and hardens (ideally after a short time) into a brittle, solid mass. This advantageously ensures easy application and allows for sensitive detection of potential damage.

[0051] In Figure 1, seals 1, 2, and 3 are shown as a point-shaped seal (e.g., as a coating). However, they can also be strip-shaped and / or rectangular, for example.

[0052] However, the seals 1, 2, 3 can also be designed, for example, as sealing elements with an adhesive surface for adhering to the energy storage device 100 and thus form adhesive seals.

[0053] The seals 1, 2, 3 can, for example, expediently adhere to the energy storage device 100 by means of a chemical reaction or by means of an adhesive.

[0054] The respective seal 1 connects two adjacent receiving devices 10 to one another, is applied to a transition region between two adjacent receiving devices 10, is made of a material cured on and / or between two adjacent receiving devices 10, and / or is made of a sealing compound applied on and / or between two adjacent receiving devices 10. The respective seal 1 advantageously serves to indicate (e.g., evaluate) a potential relative displacement between two adjacent receiving devices 10, particularly after a crash of the motor vehicle.

[0055] The seal 2 connects one of the receiving devices 10 to the floor element 20, is applied to a transition region between one of the receiving devices 10 and the floor element 20, is made of a material cured on and / or between one of the receiving devices 10 and the floor element 20, and / or is made of a sealing compound applied on and / or between one of the receiving devices 10 and the floor element 20. The seal 2 advantageously serves to indicate (e.g., evaluate) a potential relative displacement between a receiving device 10 and the floor element 20, particularly after a crash of the motor vehicle.

[0056] The seal 3 connects one of the receiving devices 10 to the cover element 30, is applied to a transition region between one of the receiving devices 10 and the cover element 30, is made of a material cured on and / or between one of the receiving devices 10 and the cover element 30, and / or is made of a sealing compound applied on and / or between one of the receiving devices 10 and the cover element 30. The seal 3 advantageously serves to indicate (e.g., evaluate) a potential relative displacement between a receiving device 10 and the cover element 30, particularly after a crash of the motor vehicle.

[0057] The invention advantageously enables an assessment of the mechanical integrity of the energy storage device 100, e.g., a commercial vehicle energy storage device, which is preferably constructed from multiple layers. Due to the multi-layer structure, it is particularly possible to visualize and / or evaluate displacements of the layers relative to one another using at least one or more seals 1, 2, 3.

[0058] The invention also relates to a method for sealing an energy storage device 100 as disclosed herein, wherein preferably a plurality of seals 1, 2, 3 are applied to the energy storage device 100 (e.g., to two adjacent receiving devices 10, a base element 20 and a receiving device 10 and / or a cover element 30 and a receiving device 10), preferably to indicate potential damage to the energy storage device 100. The seals 1, 2, 3 can, for example, be applied in liquid (e.g., viscous) and / or pasty form and preferably harden on the energy storage device 100, preferably to a solid and / or brittle mass.

[0059] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, which also utilize the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. Furthermore, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the subclaims, independent of the features and claims referred to.

[0060] List of reference symbols

[0061] 1 seal

[0062] 2 seals

[0063] 3 seals 10 receiving devices, preferably housing parts

[0064] 20 floor elements

[0065] 30 cover element

[0066] 100 energy storage device

Claims

Patent claims 1. Energy storage device (100) for a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle, with at least two receiving devices (10), in each of which at least one energy storage device is housed and which are preferably arranged stacked, characterized in that the energy storage device (100) comprises at least one seal (1 , 2, 3), preferably for indicating potential damage to the energy storage device (100).

2. Energy storage device (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one seal (1 , 2, 3) is made of a material hardened on the energy storage device (100), preferably to a solid, brittle mass.

3. Energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one seal (1 , 2, 3) is made from a sealing compound applied to the energy storage device (100).

4. Energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one seal (1 , 2, 3) is designed in a strip-shaped, dot-shaped and / or rectangular shape, and / or is designed as a seal application.

5. Energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one seal (1 , 2, 3) is made of a sealing lacquer and / or a sealing wax or is designed as a sealing element with an adhesive surface.

6. Energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one seal (1 , 2, 3) is designed as a break-away seal and / or is designed to break depending on the crash and / or upon a predefined force and / or deformation.

7. Energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one seal (1 , 2, 3) adheres to the energy storage device (100) by means of a chemical reaction and / or by means of an adhesive.

8. Energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one seal (1) connects two adjacent receiving devices (10) together, is applied to a transition area between two adjacent receiving devices (10), is made of a material cured on and / or between two adjacent receiving devices (10), and / or is made of a sealing compound applied on and / or between two adjacent receiving devices (10).

9. Energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy storage device (100) comprises a base element (20) and at least one seal (2) connects one of the receiving devices (10) to the base element (20), is applied to a transition area between one of the receiving devices (10) and the base element (20), is made of a material cured on and / or between one of the receiving devices (10) and the base element (20), and / or is made of a sealing compound applied on and / or between one of the receiving devices (10) and the base element (20).

10. Energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy storage device (100) comprises a cover element (30) and at least one seal (3) connecting one of the receiving devices (10) to the cover element (30) is applied to a transition area between one of the receiving devices (10) and the cover element (30), is made from a material cured on and / or between one of the receiving devices (10) and the cover element (30), and / or is made from a sealing compound applied on and / or between one of the receiving devices (10) and the cover element (30).

11. Energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy storage device (100) comprises several seals (1 , 2, 3), wherein at least one seal (1 , 2, 3) is applied to each side surface of the energy storage device (100).

12. Energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy storage device (100) is an electrical energy storage device (100) and / or the energy storage devices are battery modules and / or electrical energy storage devices, preferably high-voltage energy storage devices.

13. Energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving devices (10) and preferably thus the energy storage devices are stacked on top of each other and / or the energy storage device (100) is designed as a multi-layer battery system.

14. Method for sealing an energy storage device (100) for a motor vehicle, preferably an energy storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, with at least two receiving devices (10) in each of which at least one energy storage device is housed and which are preferably arranged stacked, wherein at least one seal (1 , 2, 3), preferably for indicating potential damage to the energy storage device (100), is applied to the energy storage device (100).

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the at least one seal (1 , 2, 3) is applied in liquid and / or pasty form, and / or hardens on the energy storage device (100), preferably to a solid, brittle mass.

16. Motor vehicle, preferably commercial vehicle, with an energy storage device according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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