Traction battery plastic housing, traction battery having a traction battery plastic housing and motor vehicle having a traction battery

Abstract

The present invention discloses a traction battery plastic housing (1) for receiving a plurality of battery components (40, 50, 60), wherein the traction battery plastic housing (1) has at least a plastic housing shell (10), which at least partially limits a receiving space (12) for receiving the plurality of battery components (40, 41, 42, 43), and an electrically conductive earthing device (20, 21, 22, 23), which can be electrically connected to the plurality of battery components (40, 50, 60), wherein the earthing device (20, 21, 22, 23) has an electrically conductive connection device (30) which is electrically connected to the earthing device (20, 21, 22, 23), and wherein the connection device (30) penetrates through a wall (11) of the traction battery plastic housing (1) from the receiving space (12) to an outer side (13) of the traction battery plastic housing (1) such that the connection device (30) can be electrically contacted via the outer side (13) of the traction battery plastic housing (1). The present invention further relates to a traction battery (100) having a traction battery plastic housing (100) and to a motor vehicle comprising a traction battery (100).

Description

[0001] Traction battery plastic housing, traction battery with a traction battery plastic housing and motor vehicle with a traction battery

[0002] The present invention relates to a traction battery plastic housing for a traction battery of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a traction battery for a motor vehicle with a traction battery plastic housing and to a motor vehicle with a traction battery.

[0003] Traction battery housings generally serve to house battery components, such as battery cells and / or battery modules. With traction battery housings made of metal, electrical grounding of the battery components is very simple, as the battery modules are simply brought into electrical contact with the traction battery housing.

[0004] Traction battery housings made of plastic, which can also be referred to as traction battery plastic housings, have a variety of advantages over traction battery housings made of metal. For example, plastic traction battery housings are significantly lighter than metal traction battery housings. Furthermore, plastic traction battery housings are considerably simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture. Furthermore, plastic traction battery housings can be geometrically adapted much more easily to the available installation space in a motor vehicle, thus providing more space for accommodating battery cells and / or battery modules.

[0005] However, grounding of battery components is more difficult in traction battery plastic housings than in traction battery housings made of metal.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of providing a traction battery plastic housing that has all of the above-mentioned advantages of a traction battery plastic housing and that simultaneously ensures reliable electrical grounding of battery components located in the receiving space of the traction battery plastic housing. These advantages were previously incompatible.

[0007] The object underlying the present invention is achieved by a traction battery plastic housing having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the traction battery plastic housing are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] More specifically, the object underlying the present invention is achieved by a traction battery plastic housing for accommodating a plurality of battery components, wherein the traction battery plastic housing has at least one plastic housing shell that at least partially delimits a receiving space for accommodating the plurality of battery components. The traction battery plastic housing further has an electrically conductive grounding device that can be electrically connected to the plurality of battery components.

[0009] The grounding device has an electrically conductive connection device that is electrically connected to the grounding device. The connection device extends through a wall of the traction battery plastic housing from the receiving space to an outer side of the traction battery plastic housing, so that the connection device can be electrically contacted via the outer side of the traction battery plastic housing.

[0010] Despite its low weight, simple and cost-effective production and optimized utilization of available installation space for battery components, the traction battery plastic housing according to the invention has the further advantage that battery components located in the receiving space of the traction battery plastic housing, such as battery cells and / or battery modules and / or cooling devices and / or electronic control devices, can be reliably earthed.

[0011] The plastic housing shell preferably comprises or is formed from a plastic, in particular a thermoplastic plastic. The plastic can be polyamide and / or polyamide 6 and / or polypropylene. This list is not exhaustive.

[0012] A plastic housing shell designed in this way has the advantage of being easier to manufacture. For example, the plastic housing shell can be manufactured using an injection molding process.

[0013] Preferably, the plastic housing shell is designed as an extruded component.

[0014] A plastic housing shell designed in this way has the advantage that the plastic housing shell can be manufactured even more easily, particularly in a single production step. Further preferably, the plastic housing shell comprises fibers. The fibers can be formed as glass fibers and / or carbon fibers and / or aramid fibers. The plastic housing shell preferably comprises a polyamide 6 with a 30-55% glass fiber content and / or a polypropylene with a 30-55% glass fiber content. The plastic housing shell preferably comprises a polyamide 6 with a 30-40% glass fiber content and / or a polypropylene with a 30-40% glass fiber content. Particularly preferably, the plastic housing shell comprises a polyamide 6 with a 40-50% glass fiber content and / or a polypropylene with a 40-50% glass fiber content. The fibers can preferably be formed as long fibers. Within the scope of the present invention, reference to a glass fiber content is to be understood as a weight fraction of glass fibers.

[0015] A plastic housing shell designed in this way and a traction battery plastic housing having such a plastic housing shell have the advantage that the plastic housing shell has improved stability, in particular improved mechanical rigidity.

[0016] Preferably, the grounding device is formed of or comprises a metal. The metal may, for example, comprise steel, copper, brass, or aluminum.

[0017] The connection device is preferably made of or comprises a metal. The metal can, for example, comprise steel, copper, brass or aluminum. Further preferably, the connection device is designed as a pin or bolt. Further preferably, the connection device has one and, more preferably, two threads at the end. This enables a simplified connection of the connection device to the earthing device and, for example, to a chassis of a motor vehicle in which the traction battery plastic housing is installed. The wall of the traction battery plastic housing, through which the connection device projects, is preferably injection-molded or flow-coated around the connection device, so that the connection device does not have to be inserted into the wall in a separate work step.

[0018] The wall through which the connection device extends is preferably a wall of the plastic housing shell.

[0019] Preferably, the traction battery plastic housing is designed such that at least one sealing device is arranged between the connection device and the wall.

[0020] A suitably designed traction battery plastic housing has improved tightness so that, for example, cooling fluid located in the receiving space cannot escape from the receiving space.

[0021] Preferably, the traction battery plastic housing has two sealing devices, wherein a first sealing device faces the receiving space, and wherein a second sealing device faces the outside of the traction battery plastic housing.

[0022] Preferably, the traction battery plastic housing is designed such that the earthing device is dimensionally stable.

[0023] A correspondingly designed plastic traction battery housing is easier to manufacture because, when the grounding device is inserted into the plastic traction battery housing or into the plastic housing shell, the individual areas or sections of the grounding device are automatically arranged at predetermined positions in the receiving space. Furthermore, the correspondingly designed plastic traction battery housing has the advantage that, when accelerations act on the plastic traction battery housing, the grounding device remains stable within the receiving space.

[0024] Preferably, the traction battery plastic housing is designed such that the plastic housing shell has an inner contour and the earthing device has a shape corresponding to the inner contour, so that the earthing device conforms to the inner contour.

[0025] A correspondingly designed plastic traction battery housing is easier to manufacture because, when the grounding device is inserted into the plastic traction battery housing or into the plastic housing shell, the individual areas or sections of the grounding device are automatically arranged at predetermined positions in the receiving space. Furthermore, the available space can be used more effectively to accommodate the battery components.

[0026] Preferably, the traction battery plastic housing is designed such that the earthing device has at least one busbar.

[0027] A correspondingly designed plastic traction battery housing is easier to manufacture because, when the grounding device is inserted into the plastic traction battery housing or into the plastic housing shell, the individual areas or sections of the grounding device are automatically arranged at predetermined positions in the receiving space. Furthermore, the correspondingly designed plastic traction battery housing has the advantage that, when accelerations act on the plastic traction battery housing, the grounding device remains stable within the receiving space.

[0028] Further preferably, the traction battery plastic housing is designed such that the earthing device is modular and has at least two busbars which are connected to one another by means of at least one connecting device.

[0029] A correspondingly designed traction battery plastic housing is even easier to manufacture, since, particularly in the case of geometrically complex receiving spaces and correspondingly complex earthing devices, the individual busbars can, for example, be introduced individually into the receiving space and then connected to one another.

[0030] The respective busbars can also be referred to as modules of the earthing device.

[0031] Further preferably, the traction battery plastic housing is designed such that the at least one busbar is connected to the plastic housing shell, preferably to a base plate of the plastic housing shell, by means of a fastening device.

[0032] A correspondingly designed plastic traction battery housing is even easier to manufacture. Furthermore, the correspondingly designed plastic traction battery housing has the advantage that when accelerations act on the plastic traction battery housing, the earthing device remains stable in position within the receiving space. The fastening device is preferably designed as a fastening screw. Further preferably, the fastening device is designed as a clamping disk which is clamped onto a fastening pin projecting through a busbar, the fastening pin being firmly connected to the plastic housing shell, preferably to the base plate of the plastic housing shell, and is preferably designed monolithically.

[0033] Preferably, the traction battery plastic housing is designed such that the plastic housing shell has at least one, preferably a plurality of holding devices, and the earthing device is held in place in the plastic housing shell by means of the at least one holding device, preferably by means of the plurality of holding devices.

[0034] Further preferably, the traction battery plastic housing is designed such that the at least one holding device, preferably all holding devices, is / are each designed as a holding groove, wherein the earthing device is inserted in the at least one holding groove, preferably in all holding grooves.

[0035] A correspondingly designed plastic traction battery housing is even easier to manufacture. Furthermore, the correspondingly designed plastic traction battery housing has the advantage that, when the plastic traction battery housing is subjected to acceleration, the grounding device remains stable within the receiving space.

[0036] Further preferably, the traction battery plastic housing is designed such that the at least one holding device, preferably all holding devices, hold the grounding device securely against rotation. A correspondingly designed traction battery plastic housing ensures the correct orientation of the grounding device when installed, so that the battery components to be grounded can be electrically contacted more reliably by the grounding device.

[0037] If the earthing device is secured in a rotation-proof manner, the earthing device can no longer be rotated along its longitudinal axis.

[0038] Preferably, the traction battery plastic housing is designed such that the battery housing component is designed as a battery cell, and / or the battery housing component is designed as a battery module, and / or the battery housing component is designed as a cooling device, and / or the battery housing component is designed as an electronic control device.

[0039] The object underlying the present invention is further achieved by a traction battery for a motor vehicle which has a traction battery plastic housing as described above and at least one battery component which is arranged in the receiving space of the traction battery plastic housing.

[0040] Furthermore, the object underlying the present invention is achieved by a motor vehicle having an electric motor for driving the motor vehicle and having a traction battery as described above, wherein the traction battery is electrically connected to the electric motor for transmitting electrical energy.

[0041] Further advantages, details, and features of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments. These show in detail: Figure 1: a perspective top view of a traction battery according to the invention with a traction battery plastic housing according to the invention, the housing cover of which has been removed;

[0042] Figure 2: a perspective view of an earthing device of the traction battery plastic housing according to the invention in isolation;

[0043] Figure 3A: a detailed view of the earthing device in a

[0044] Plastic housing shell of the traction battery plastic housing according to the invention;

[0045] Figure 3B : a detailed view of the one shown in Figure 3A

[0046] Earthing device in a connection area with the plastic housing shell;

[0047] Figure 4: a cross-sectional view of the traction battery plastic housing according to the invention in a further connection area of ​​the earthing device with the plastic housing shell;

[0048] Figure 5: a cross-sectional view of the traction battery plastic housing according to the invention in the region of a wall of the plastic housing shell penetrated by a connection device of the earthing device;

[0049] Figure 6A: a perspective view of the receiving space of the traction battery plastic housing according to the invention with the grounding device inserted in a holding device; and Figure 6B: a detailed perspective view of the grounding device inserted in a holding device.

[0050] In the following description, identical reference symbols designate identical components or identical features, so that a description of a component made with reference to one figure also applies to the other figures, thus avoiding repetitive description. Furthermore, individual features described in connection with one embodiment can also be used separately in other embodiments.

[0051] Figure 1 shows a perspective top view of a traction battery 100. The traction battery 100 has a traction battery plastic housing 1, the housing cover of which has been removed so that a receiving space 12 of the traction battery plastic housing 1 can be seen. The traction battery plastic housing 1 has a plastic housing shell 10 which at least partially delimits the receiving space 12 for receiving the plurality of battery components 40. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a plurality of battery components 40, 41 designed as battery modules 41 are arranged in the receiving space 12, which battery components are each in contact with further battery components 40, 42 designed as cooling devices 42 for dissipating heat. Furthermore, a battery component 40, 43 designed as an electronic control device 43 is arranged in the receiving space 12.

[0052] The traction battery plastic housing 1 further comprises an electrically conductive grounding device 20 which is electrically connected to the battery components 40, 41, 42, 43. Consequently, the grounding device 20 is electrically connected to the battery modules 41, to the cooling devices 42, and to the electronic control device 43. Figure 1 shows that the plastic housing shell 10 has an inner contour 14 with a plurality of webs 14 or elevations 14, by which receiving areas for receiving the battery modules 41 are delimited from one another. The grounding device 20 has a shape corresponding to the inner contour 14, so that the grounding device 20 conforms to the inner contour 14.

[0053] Figure 2 shows the grounding device 20 in isolation. The grounding device 20 is of modular design and has three busbars 21, 22, 23, which are connected to one another by means of connecting devices 24 designed as screws 24.

[0054] Due to the design of the grounding device 20 as a busbar or as a plurality of busbars, the grounding device has a certain dimensional stability. Therefore, the grounding device 20 does not deform, or at least not significantly, under the influence of its own gravity, so that the grounding device 20 can be used without difficulty in the holding devices 15 described further below with reference to Figures 6A and 6B. The shape of the grounding device 20, which is adapted to the inner contour 14, further increases its dimensional stability.

[0055] From Figures 3A and 3B it can be seen that the earthing device 20, more precisely a busbar 21, 22, 23 of the earthing device 20, is connected to the plastic housing shell 10, more precisely to the base plate 16 of the plastic housing shell 10, by means of a fastening device 17, 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening device 25 is designed as a clamping disk 25 which is clamped onto a fastening pin 17 projecting through the busbar 21, 22, 23, wherein the fastening pin 17 is firmly connected to the base plate 16 of the plastic housing shell 10 and is preferably of monolithic design. Figure 4 shows a further fastening of the earthing device 20, more precisely a busbar 21, 22, 23 of the earthing device 20 to a control device 43 by means of a screw 26 projecting through the earthing device 20 and the control device 43.

[0056] Figure 5 shows that the grounding device 20, 21, 22, 23 has an electrically conductive connection device 30 that is electrically connected to the grounding device 20, 21, 22, 23. The connection device 30 extends through a wall 11 of the traction battery plastic housing (1) from the receiving space (12) to an outer side (13) of the traction battery plastic housing (1). More precisely, the connection device 30 extends through a wall 11 of the plastic housing shell 10 from the receiving space 12 to the outer side 13 of the plastic housing shell 10. Thus, the connection device 30 can be electrically contacted via the outer side 13 of the traction battery plastic housing 1.

[0057] From Figure 5 it can be seen that the connection device 30 is fastened to the earthing device 20, more precisely to the busbar 21 - 23, by means of a fastening nut 33.

[0058] Furthermore, Figure 5 shows that the traction battery plastic housing 1 has at least one sealing device 31, 32, which is / are arranged between the connection device 30 and the wall 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the traction battery plastic housing 1 has two sealing devices 31, 32, wherein a first sealing device 31 faces the receiving space 12, and wherein a second sealing device 32 faces the outer side 13 of the traction battery plastic housing 1.

[0059] From Figures 6A and 6B, it can be seen that the plastic housing shell 10 has a plurality of holding devices 15 designed as holding grooves 15, wherein the grounding device 20-23 is held in place in the plastic housing shell 10 by means of the holding devices 15, in that the grounding device 20-23 is inserted into the holding grooves 15. By means of a corresponding holder for the grounding device 20-23, it is held in a rotationally secure manner.

[0060] List of reference symbols

[0061] I Traction battery plastic housing

[0062] 10 plastic housing shell

[0063] II Wall (of the plastic housing shell)

[0064] 12 Receiving space (of the plastic housing shell)

[0065] 13 Outside (of the traction battery plastic housing)

[0066] 14 Inner contour (of the plastic housing shell)

[0067] 15 Holding device / holding groove (of the plastic housing shell)

[0068] 16 Base plate (of the plastic housing shell)

[0069] 17 Fixing pin (of the base plate)

[0070] 20 Earthing device

[0071] 21 first busbar (of the earthing device)

[0072] 22 second busbar (of the earthing device)

[0073] 23 third busbar (of the earthing device)

[0074] 24 Connecting device / screw

[0075] 25 Fastening device / clamping disc

[0076] 26 Screw

[0077] 30 Connection device (of the earthing device)

[0078] 31 first sealing device

[0079] 32 second sealing device

[0080] 33 Fastening nut

[0081] 40 Battery component

[0082] 41 Battery component / battery module

[0083] 42 Battery component / cooling device

[0084] 43 Battery component / electronic control device

[0085] 100 traction battery

Claims

Patent claims 1. A traction battery plastic housing (1) for accommodating a plurality of battery components (40, 50, 60), the traction battery plastic housing (1) having the following features: the traction battery plastic housing (1) has at least one plastic housing shell (10) which at least partially delimits a receiving space (12) for accommodating the plurality of battery components (40, 41, 42, 43); the traction battery plastic housing (1) has an electrically conductive grounding device (20, 21, 22, 23) which is electrically connectable to the plurality of battery components (40, 50, 60); the grounding device (20, 21, 22, 23) has an electrically conductive connection device (30) which is electrically connected to the grounding device (20, 21, 22, 23);and the connection device (30) projects through a wall (11) of the traction battery plastic housing (1) from the receiving space (12) to an outer side (13) of the traction battery plastic housing (1), so that the connection device (30) can be electrically contacted via the outer side (13) of the traction battery plastic housing (1).

2. Traction battery plastic housing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one sealing device (31, 32) is arranged between the connection device (30) and the wall (11).

3. Traction battery plastic housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the earthing device (20, 21, 22, 23) is dimensionally stable.

4. Traction battery plastic housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following features: the plastic housing shell (10) has an inner contour (14); and the earthing device (20, 21, 22, 23) has a shape corresponding to the inner contour (14), so that the earthing device (20, 21, 22, 23) conforms to the inner contour (14).

5. Traction battery plastic housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the earthing device (20, 21, 22, 23) has at least one busbar (21, 22, 23).

6. Traction battery plastic housing (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the following features: the grounding device (20, 21, 22, 23) is modular; and the grounding device (20, 21, 22, 23) has at least two busbars (21, 22, 23) which are connected to one another by means of at least one connecting device (24).

7. Traction battery plastic housing (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the at least one busbar (21, 22, 23) is connected to the plastic housing shell (10), preferably to a base plate (16) of the plastic housing shell (10), by means of a fastening device (17, 25, 26).

8. Traction battery plastic housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following features: the plastic housing shell (10) has at least one, preferably a plurality of holding devices (15); and the grounding device (20, 21, 22, 23) is held stationary in the plastic housing shell (10) by means of the at least one holding device, preferably by means of the plurality of holding devices (15).

9. Traction battery plastic housing (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the following features: the at least one holding device (15), preferably all holding devices (15), is / are each designed as a holding groove (15); the grounding device (20, 21, 22, 23) is inserted in the at least one holding groove (15), preferably in all holding grooves (15).

10. Traction battery plastic housing (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one holding device (15), preferably all holding devices (15), hold the earthing device (20, 21, 22, 23) in a rotationally secure manner.

11. Traction battery plastic housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following features: the battery housing component (40) is designed as a battery cell; and / or the battery housing component (40) is designed as a battery module (41); and / or the battery housing component (40) is designed as a cooling device (42); and / or the battery housing component (40) is designed as an electronic control device (43).

12. Traction battery (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising a traction battery plastic housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one battery component (40, 41, 42, 43) which is arranged in the receiving space (12) of the traction battery plastic housing (1).

13. Motor vehicle with an electric motor for driving the motor vehicle and with a traction battery (100) according to claim 12, wherein the traction battery (100) is electrically connected to the electric motor for transmitting electrical energy.

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