Housing for a vehicle electric battery module

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (2) for a battery module (10) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising a base (3), a cover (4) and at least one attachment tab (5) for attaching the housing (2) to the inside of the vehicle (1), wherein the attachment tab is configured to receive an attachment means (6) and is configured to be attached to a body structure (11) of the vehicle (1), wherein a first surface (51) of the at least one attachment tab (5) is configured to be arranged facing or in contact with the body structure (11), and / or wherein a second surface (52) of the at least one attachment tab (5) comprises at least one secondary coating layer (54).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Housing for electric vehicle battery module

[0003] The present invention relates to a housing for an electric battery module of a vehicle. The invention also relates to an electric battery module comprising such a housing and a vehicle comprising such a housing and / or such a module.

[0004] In electric or hybrid vehicles, current electric powertrains rely on increasingly efficient electric battery systems to compete with combustion engines. Typically, these battery systems comprise a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in one or more modules within at least one housing. These cells can be cylindrical, prismatic, or flexible.

[0005] The housing typically comprises a base open on one side, in which the electrochemical cells are arranged. Once the electrochemical cells are arranged, the housing can be closed by means of a cover arranged on the open side of the base. The battery module is then mounted in the vehicle by reversible attachment to the body structure, in particular to the underbody of the vehicle, under the passenger compartment, by means of attachment means. However, due to the heating of the electrochemical cells when the battery module is in operation, the housing tends to rise in temperature. As a result, significant thermal conduction is observed at the attachment of the battery module, the attachment means transmitting the heat from the battery module to the body structure and thus weakening the attachment of said module.The present invention falls within this context and aims to propose an alternative to battery module housings making it possible to limit, or even eliminate, thermal conduction from the battery module to the body structure.

[0006] To this end, the invention proposes a housing for a motor vehicle battery module comprising a base, a cover configured to be mounted on the base so as to close the housing and at least one fixing lug of the housing within the vehicle configured to receive a fixing means and configured to be fixed at a body structure of the vehicle by means of said fixing means, a first surface of the at least one fixing lug, configured to be arranged opposite or in contact with the body structure, comprising at least one primary coating layer, thermally insulating, and / or a second surface of the at least one fixing lug, opposite the first surface, comprising at least one secondary coating layer, thermally insulating.

[0007] In particular, the at least one primary coating layer of the first surface and / or the at least one secondary coating layer of the second surface is ceramic.

[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one fixing lug is made of aluminum and the at least one primary coating layer of the first surface and / or the at least one secondary coating layer of the second surface is obtained by anodization.

[0009] In particular, the at least one primary coating layer of the first surface and / or the at least one secondary coating layer of the second surface has a thickness of between 10 μm and 500 μm, or even between 15 μm and 250 μm. Optionally, the at least one primary coating layer of the first surface extends over all or part of the first surface and / or the at least one secondary coating layer of the second surface extends over all or part of the second surface.

[0010] Optionally, the at least one fixing lug and the base are made from one material or the at least one fixing lug and the cover are made from one material.

[0011] According to examples of realization:

[0012] - the base comprises a metallic material, such as aluminum; and / or

[0013] - the cover comprises a plastic material and / or a metallic material, such as aluminum.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment, the housing comprises a plurality of fixing lugs, the first surface and / or the second surface of each of said lugs comprising at least one primary coating layer or at least one secondary coating layer respectively, in particular thermally insulating coating.

[0015] The invention also relates to a battery module comprising a housing according to the invention, delimiting an internal volume, and at least one electrochemical cell arranged in said volume.

[0016] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle with an electric or hybrid engine comprising a body structure and a housing and / or a battery module according to the invention. In particular, the housing and / or a battery module according to the invention is mounted at the body structure.

[0017] Other details, characteristics and advantages will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below, for informational and non-limiting purposes, in relation to the various examples of embodiment illustrated in the following figures:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle comprising a battery module.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a battery module according to the invention.

[0020] Figure 3 is a representation of a portion of the battery module including a fastening device.

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the battery module.

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a battery module housing.

[0023] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a battery module mounting bracket.

[0024] Figure 7 is a top view schematic representation of the mounting bracket.

[0025] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle 1, particularly a motor vehicle with an electric or hybrid engine comprising at least one electric motor, not shown. The vehicle 1 considered may be of any type, for example a private vehicle or a utility vehicle.

[0026] The vehicle 1 comprises at least one electric battery module 10, which may also be called a “battery” or “electric battery”. Such a battery module 10 is intended for a battery device, or electrical energy storage device, of the vehicle 1. For example, the battery device comprises at least one battery module 10 according to the invention or a plurality of said modules. The battery device, and by extension the at least one battery module 10, is an electric traction or motor battery, adapted to supply electrical energy to various components of the vehicle 1, including the electric motor of the vehicle 1.

[0027] The vehicle 1 also comprises a body structure 11, at which the at least one battery module 10, or more generally the battery device, is fixed.

[0028] Throughout the figures, the dimensions and spacings between the various components may be exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Furthermore, in the description below, the terms "first",

[0029] "second", "primary" and "secondary" are intended to distinguish the different elements of the invention and not to establish a hierarchy among them.

[0030] The body structure 11, or chassis, is a structure capable of supporting different components of the vehicle 1. It has, for example, a frame shape, that is to say it forms a closed frame. In particular, such a frame is formed by a plurality of elongated members, for example hollow, such as side members, cross members and / or sills. These elongated members comprise, for example, a “U” or “Q” profile.

[0031] Generally, the battery module 10 comprises a housing 2 and at least one electrochemical cell 12, arranged in said housing 2, in particular arranged in an internal volume 13 delimited by the housing 2. The following description is given with reference to a specific battery module 10 and to the housing 2 associated with it. It is nevertheless understood that the invention can extend to a plurality of battery modules or housings 2.

[0032] In a known manner, the at least one electrochemical cell 12 may be of the prismatic, cylindrical or flexible type, in particular flexible prismatic, also known as the “pouch” type. “Prismatic” means that the electrochemical cell 12 may have a parallelepiped or substantially parallelepiped shape, in particular a rectangular or square parallelepiped, or even cubic. Each electrochemical cell 12 is capable of storing energy in chemical form and of restoring it in the form of an electric current. The electrochemical cells may, for example, be of the “lithium-ion” type, also called “Li-ion”. The battery module 10 comprises at least one electrochemical cell 12. It is nevertheless understood, as illustrated, that the battery module 10 may comprise a plurality of electrochemical cells 12, the number and dimensions of said cells being in no way limiting.

[0033] The housing 2 comprises a base 3, a cover 4, removable and attached relative to the base 3, and at least one fixing lug 5 of the housing 2 within the vehicle 1, configured to allow the fixing of the housing 2 and the battery module 10 at the level of the body structure 11, in particular under the body structure 11.

[0034] The base 3 comprises a plurality of walls and is open on one side so as to allow the insertion of the at least one electrochemical cell 12. Therefore, the term "open on one side" means here that one of the walls is missing and that the base does not form a closed structure. For example, the plurality of walls comprises at least one main wall 31 and side walls 32, connected to the main wall 31 and extending transversely, or even orthogonally thereto. In particular, in a non-limiting manner, the base 3 has a parallelepiped shape in which opposite side walls 32 extend parallel to each other. For example, the base 3 is made of a metallic material, such as aluminum, in particular 3000 or 6000 series aluminum, or an alloy comprising aluminum. The cover 4 comprises at least one main flank 41 configured to be mounted on the base 3 so as to close the housing 2.The cover 4 is thus configured to be mounted at the open side of the base 3 so as to delimit the internal volume 13 of the housing 2 and to close the base 3. The main flank 41 of the cover 4 is thus opposite the main wall 31.

[0035] Optionally but preferably, the cover 4 also comprises a plurality of lateral flanks 42, connected to the main flank 41 and extending transversely, or even orthogonally to it.

[0036] In particular, the cover 4 is sized and shaped so that the lateral flanks 42 extend into contact with at least a portion of the lateral walls 32 of the base 3 so as to limit, or even block, the movement of the cover 4 relative to the base 3 along at least one direction. For example, the cover 4 has a “U” or substantially “U” shaped structure, the main flank 41 forming the base of said “U” and the lateral flanks 42 forming the branches.

[0037] For example, the cover 4 is made of a metallic material, such as aluminum, in particular 3000 or 6000 series aluminum, or an aluminum-based alloy.

[0038] The housing 2 comprises a fixing lug 5 or a plurality of fixing lugs 5. In the description below, reference is made to a single fixing lug 5. It is nevertheless understood that it applies mutatis mutandis to a plurality of fixing lugs 5.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment, illustrated in figures 2 to 7, the fixing lug 5 is connected to the base 3. For example, the fixing lug 5 is connected to one of the side walls 32. In this case, the fixing lug 5 extends transversely to one of the side walls 32. Preferably, the fixing lug 5 and the base 3 are made of one material. Also, preferably, the base 3 and the fixing lug 5 are made of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy.

[0040] According to an alternative not shown, the fixing lug 5 is connected to the cover 4. For example, the fixing lug 5 is connected to the main flank 41 or to one of the lateral flanks 42. In this case, the fixing lug 5 extends transversely to one of the lateral flanks 42. Preferably, the fixing lug 5 and the cover 4 are made of one material. Also, said lug is made of a material similar to that of the cover 4, for example, preferably, aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy.

[0041] The fixing lug 5 comprises in particular at least one orifice 43 configured to receive a fixing means 6, for example a reversible fixing means 6 such as a screw or a stud. The orifice 43 has in particular a closed contour, or circumference. Alternatively, such a contour may be partly open. The at least one fixing means 6 allows the battery module 10 to be fixed to the body structure 11. The at least one orifice 43 is a through orifice, it extends from a first surface 51 of the fixing lug 5 to a second surface 52 of said lug, opposite the first surface 51. The first surface 51 is configured to be arranged opposite or in contact with the body structure 11, in particular one of the elongated members of the body structure 11.For example, the first surface 51 extends into contact with the base of the “U” profile of one of the elongated members of the body structure 11 at a contact zone of the first surface 51. The base of the elongated member then comprises at least one opening configured to extend opposite the at least one orifice 43 and capable of receiving the at least one fixing means 6.

[0042] The fixing lug 5 advantageously comprises at least one primary coating layer 53, particularly a thermally insulating coating, arranged on the first surface 51 and / or at least one secondary coating layer 54, particularly a thermally insulating coating, arranged on the second surface 52. The at least one primary coating layer 51 and / or the at least one secondary coating layer 54 may also extend into a portion of the at least one orifice 43. Such coating layers make it possible to reduce, or even eliminate, the thermal conduction conventionally existing between the housing 2 of the battery module 10 on the one hand and the at least one fixing means 6 and the body structure 11 on the other hand. Thus, in the event of heating of the at least one electrochemical cell 12, the thermal conduction of the battery module 10 is limited to the housing 2 and does not affect, or only slightly, the fixing of the battery module 10 on the body structure 11.

[0043] Preferably, the first surface 51 and the second surface 52 respectively comprise at least one primary coating layer 53 and at least one secondary coating layer 54.

[0044] The at least one primary coating layer 53 is thus configured to be interposed along a direction between the fixing lug 5 and a portion of the body structure 11 on which the housing 2, and by extension the battery module 10, is fixed. Conversely, for example, the at least one secondary coating layer 54 is configured to extend into contact with a portion of the fixing means 6, for example a screw head and / or a washer.

[0045] According to a first, preferred embodiment, the at least one primary coating layer 53 of the first surface 51 and / or the at least one secondary coating layer 54 of the second surface 52 is a ceramic coating. In particular, such a ceramic coating is made from alumina, for example baked alumina. In a known manner, such a coating can be coated, sintered and / or pressed or even made by plasma-assisted deposition. For example, it can be obtained by thermal spraying or is a ceramic coating of the thermochemical type.

[0046] According to a particular exemplary embodiment of the first embodiment, the primary coating layer 53 of the first surface 51 and the secondary coating layer 54 of the second surface 52 are ceramic coatings.

[0047] According to a second alternative embodiment, the at least one primary coating layer 53 of the first surface 51 and / or the at least one secondary coating layer 54 of the second surface 52 is an aluminum oxide coating obtained by anodization. In such an embodiment, the at least one fixing lug 5 is in particular made of aluminum or an alloy comprising aluminum.

[0048] Optionally but preferably, the at least one coating layer considered, primary and / or secondary, has a thickness of between 10 μm and 500 μm, or even between 15 μm and 250 μm. The at least one coating layer considered may be the at least one primary coating layer 53 of the first surface 51 and / or the at least one secondary coating layer 54 of the second surface 52.

[0049] In particular, when the at least one coating layer considered is obtained by anodization, said layer has a thickness greater than or equal to 10 pm, for example between 10 pm and 15 pm.

[0050] In particular, when the at least one coating layer considered is a ceramic coating, said layer has a thickness greater than or equal to 100 μm, for example between 150 μm and 500 μm, or between 175 μm and 300 μm, in particular of the order of 250 μm. The at least one primary coating layer 53 extends over all or part of the first surface 51. In particular, the at least one primary coating layer 53 extends at least over an area of ​​the first surface 51 configured to extend into contact with the body structure 11 when the housing 2, and by extension the battery module 10, is mounted in the vehicle 1, delimited by the dotted lines in FIG. 7.

[0051] Likewise, additionally or alternatively, the at least one secondary coating layer 54 extends over all or part of the second surface 52. In particular, the at least one secondary coating layer 54 extends at least over an area of ​​the second surface 52 configured to extend into contact with a part of the fixing means 6, for example a screw head and / or a washer.

[0052] It is understood that, when the housing 2 comprises a plurality of fixing lugs 5, each of said lugs comprises at least one primary coating layer 53, arranged on the first surface 51 of the fixing lug 5 in question and / or at least one secondary coating layer 54, arranged on the second surface 52 of the fixing lug 5 in question. The preceding description then applies mutatis mutandis to each of said fixing lugs 5.

[0053] The present invention thus provides a housing for a battery module making it possible to reduce, or even eliminate, thermal conduction from the battery module to the body structure supporting it. It thus makes it possible to preserve the integrity of the fixing means ensuring the fixing of the battery module to the body structure.

[0054] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any technically operative combination of such means insofar as they ultimately fulfill the functionalities described and illustrated in the present document.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Housing (2) for a battery module (10) of a motor vehicle (1) comprising a base (3), a cover (4) configured to be mounted on the base (3) so as to close the housing (2) and at least one fixing lug (5) of the housing (2) within the vehicle (1) configured to receive a fixing means (6) and configured to be fixed at a body structure (11) of the vehicle (1) by means of said fixing means (6), characterized in that a first surface (51) of the at least one fixing lug (5), configured to be arranged opposite or in contact with the body structure (11), comprises at least one primary coating layer (53), thermally insulating, and / or a second surface (52) of the at least one fixing lug (5), opposite the first surface (51), comprises at least one secondary coating layer (54), thermally insulating.

2. Housing (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one primary coating layer (53) of the first surface (51) and / or the at least one secondary coating layer (54) of the second surface (52) is made of ceramic.

3. Housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one fixing lug (5) is made of aluminum, the at least one primary coating layer (53) of the first surface (51) and / or the at least one secondary coating layer (54) of the second surface (52) is obtained by anodization.

4. Housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one primary coating layer (53) of the first surface (51) and / or the at least one secondary coating layer coating (54) of the second surface (52) has a thickness of between 10 pm and 500 pm, or even between 15 pm and 250 pm.

5. Housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one fixing lug (5) and the base (3) are made of one material or the at least one fixing lug (5) and the cover (4) are made of one material.

6. Housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which: - the base (3) comprises a metallic material, such as aluminum; and / or - the cover (4) comprises a plastic material and / or a metallic material, such as aluminum.

7. Housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of fixing lugs (5), the first surface (51) and / or the second surface (52) of each of said lugs comprising at least one primary coating layer (53) or at least one secondary coating layer (54) respectively, in particular thermally insulating coating.

8. Battery module (10) comprising a housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, delimiting an internal volume (13), and at least one electrochemical cell (12) arranged in said volume.

9. Motor vehicle (1) with electric or hybrid motorization comprising a body structure (11) and a housing (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7 and / or a battery module (10) according to claim 8.

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