Housing

Abstract

To provide a housing that is attachable to adjacent elements and has high durability.SOLUTION: A housing 1 includes: a first housing element 2 having a columnar shape extending along a longitudinal axis L_2, the first housing element 2 having a first side wall and a second side wall with a support part extending across a first support surface; and a second housing element 15 connected to the first housing element 2, the first housing element 2 and the second housing element 15 defining a first housing chamber. The housing 1 further includes a support element 29 for supporting the housing 1 on an adjacent element through a first screw. The first screw is engaged with a screw hole of the first housing element 2, the screw hole is disposed at least partially in the first support surface and in a screw-hole axis, and a bore is disposed parallel to the first support surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing, particularly a housing for an energy storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] The purpose of the energy storage device housing is to contain the energy storage device and protect it from environmental influences. The housing for the energy storage device can include interfaces for the transfer of electrical energy between the individual cells or to an electrical load.

[0003] German Patent Publication No. DE 10 202 2000 414 A1 discloses a housing for an energy storage device that comprises several prismatic housing elements stacked on top of one another, with a cover element welded to the front of the housing and forming a connection for a support element in the cover element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Publication No. DE 10 2022 000 414 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a housing that is attachable to adjacent components and has high durability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a housing, particularly a housing for an energy storage device, which includes a first housing element in the shape of a prism having a bottom surface extending along a longitudinal axis, the housing element having a first side wall on a first longitudinal side and a second side wall on a second longitudinal side, a support portion extending between the first and second side walls and spanning the first support surface, and a second housing element arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis and spaced apart from the support portion and connected to the first housing element, in which a first housing chamber is defined by the first and second housing elements, the support element for supporting the housing against an adjacent element can be connected to the first housing element via a first screw, the first screw engaging with a threaded hole in the first housing element, the threaded hole being at least partially positioned within the first support surface, and the axis of the threaded hole being positioned parallel to the first support surface.

[0007] The housing has the advantage that the support forces acting on the housing from the support elements are directly supported by the support, which eliminates the need for additional joints such as welded seams that would be stressed by the support forces, and overall increases the durability of the housing.

[0008] A prism shape is defined as a geometric object formed by translating or extruding a planar base surface along an axis extending transversely to the planar base surface. The prism is produced, for example, by extrusion through a polygonal-shaped opening. In this respect, an extruded or prism-shaped housing element should also be understood as meaning that the housing element has a prismatic basic shape that is subsequently machined, resulting in the housing element becoming at least partially prismatic. In this respect, the housing element is produced by extrusion or extrusion molding and then machined.

[0009] By longitudinal side of the housing element is meant the side of the housing element that is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis. The front face of the housing element is therefore arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis and the longitudinal side. The front face is therefore also called the cross face.

[0010] Each support described in this application is positioned across a support surface such that the support surface passes through the geometric centroid of the cross-sectional area of ​​the respective support.

[0011] In one possible embodiment, the bore axis of the screw bore of the first housing element can be arranged in the first support surface.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, the second housing element has a bottom surface and can be designed as a prism extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second housing element has a first side wall on a first longitudinal side and a second side wall on a second longitudinal side, with a support extending between the side walls and arranged across the second support surface. The support is connected to the second housing element via a second screw. The second screw can engage with a threaded hole in the second housing element. The axis of the threaded hole can be arranged parallel to the second support surface. In particular, the axis of the threaded hole in the second housing element can be arranged within the second support surface. Alternatively, or in combination, at least a portion of the threaded hole can be arranged within the second support surface.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the third housing element can have a bottom surface and a prismatic design extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The third housing element has a first sidewall on a first longitudinal side and a second sidewall on a second longitudinal side, with a support extending therebetween and spanning the third support surface. The third housing element is spaced laterally from the support of the second housing element relative to the longitudinal axis and is connected to the second housing element such that the second and third housing elements define a second housing chamber. The second and third housing elements can have the same prismatic shape or the same prismatic bottom surface. The third housing element can have a threaded hole. The threaded hole can be at least partially disposed within the third support surface. The axis of the threaded hole can be disposed parallel to the third support surface. In particular, the axis of the threaded hole of the third housing element can be disposed within the third support surface.

[0014] The threaded holes in the second housing element may be complementary to the first and second screws, and the threaded holes in the third housing element may be complementary to the second screws.

[0015] In one possible embodiment, the first, second and third support surfaces may be aligned in parallel, and the distance between the first and second support surfaces may be the same as the distance between the second and third support surfaces.

[0016] In one possible embodiment, the support element may have a connecting portion that abuts against the first side wall of the first housing element and / or the first side wall of the second housing element. The connecting portion of the support element may have a first mating portion and a second mating portion. The first housing element may have a recess. The recess of the first housing element may be designed complementary to the first mating portion. The second housing element may have a recess. The recess of the second housing element may be designed complementary to the first mating portion and the second mating portion. The third housing element may have a recess. The recess of the third housing element may be designed complementary to the second mating portion.

[0017] In one embodiment, the support element has a support portion through which the support element can contact an adjacent element, the support portion extending transversely to the connection portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, a first sidewall of the first housing element can contact a first sidewall of the second housing element, and a second sidewall of the first housing element can contact a second sidewall of the second housing element.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first front cover can be connected to the first housing element at a first front surface of the housing. The second front cover can be connected to the first housing element at a second front surface of the housing. The third front cover can be connected to the second housing element at the first front surface of the housing. The fourth front cover can be connected to the second housing element at the second front surface of the housing. A first housing chamber can be defined by the first housing element, the second housing element, the first front cover, the second front cover, the third front cover, and the fourth front cover.

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a housing according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a housing for an energy storage device, with a support element in a first position; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the housing of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] In the cross-section of the housing of FIG. 1, only the base element and two intermediate elements are shown. [Figure 4] Detail enlargement of IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] A detailed enlargement of V in Figure 1. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 1, with the support element in a second position; [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the housing of FIG. 6; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The housing 1, which will be described below and shown in Figures 1 to 7, is made up of multiple housing elements stacked on top of one another, which define multiple housing chambers. The housing 1 comprises a first housing element in the form of a base element 2. The base element 2 has a prismatic basic shape and extends along a longitudinal axis L_2. The base element 2 has a U-shaped bottom surface and has a first side wall 4 in a first longitudinal direction and a second side wall 6 in a second longitudinal direction. The first side wall 4 has a flat mounting surface 5 at a first end, which is also called the connecting surface. The second side wall 6 has a flat mounting surface 7 at an end, which is also called the connecting surface. The mounting surface is also called the flange surface. The base element 2 is made from an extruded material.

[0023] A flat support 3 extends between the first side wall 4 and the second side wall 6. The support 3 is connected to the respective side walls 4, 6 at an end opposite the mounting surfaces 5, 7. The support 3 defines a first support surface E_T2. The support 3 is formed with cooling channels 11 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis L_2, through which a coolant can flow. A battery module can be disposed on the support 3. In other words, the battery module is supported by or rests on the support 3.

[0024] The base member 2 has a plurality of screw holes 8. Each screw hole 8 extends along a screw hole axis L_8 that penetrates the first side wall 4 and the support part 3. The screw hole axis L_8 is arranged parallel to the first support surface E_T2. In this case, the screw hole axis L_8 is located within the first support surface E_T2. The screw holes 8 are designed as blind holes.

[0025] As can be seen particularly from the combined view of Figures 1 and 5, four adjacent screw holes 8 are provided in the first axial end region of the first side wall 4. These screw holes 8 each extend through a support surface 9 formed by a recess 10 in the base element 2. The recesses 10 are formed by machining the extruded material of the base element 2. Furthermore, in the region of the second axial end of the first side wall 4, the first axial end of the second side wall 6, and the second axial end of the second side wall 6, a group of four adjacent screw holes 8 are provided. These also extend through the support surfaces 9 formed in the recesses 10.

[0026] The housing 1 further comprises a first front cover 12 connected to a first front surface of the base element 2 and a second front cover 13 connected to a second front surface of the base element 2. The first and second front covers 12, 13 are each welded to the base element 2.

[0027] The housing 1 also comprises a second housing element in the form of an intermediate element 15. This intermediate element 15 has a prismatic basic shape and extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L_2. The bottom surface of the intermediate element 15 is H-shaped and has a first side wall 17 in a first longitudinal direction and a second side wall 20 in a second longitudinal direction. The first side wall 17 has a flat lower mounting surface 18 at a first end, also referred to as the connecting surface. The first side wall 17 has a flat upper mounting surface 19 at a second end, also referred to as the connecting surface. The second side wall 20 has a flat lower mounting surface 21 at a first end, also referred to as the connecting surface. The second side wall 20 has a flat upper mounting surface 22 at a second end, also referred to as the connecting surface.

[0028] A flat support 16 extends between the first side wall 17 and the second side wall 20. The support 16 is connected between lower mounting surfaces 18, 21 and upper mounting surfaces 19, 22 of the respective side walls 4, 6. The support 16 defines a second support surface E_T15. The support surface E_T15 is disposed parallel to the first support surface E_T2. The support 16 defines cooling channels 26 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis L_2, through which a coolant can flow.

[0029] The intermediate element 15 is provided with a plurality of threaded holes 23, each extending along a threaded hole axis L_23 through the first side wall 17 to the support part 16. The threaded hole axis L_23 is arranged parallel to the second support surface E_T15. In this case, the threaded hole axis L_23 is located within the second support surface E_T15. The threaded holes 23 are designed as blind holes.

[0030] Four screw holes 23 are provided adjacent to one another in the first axial end region of the first side wall 17. Each of these screw holes 23 passes through a support surface 24 formed by the recess 25. A further group of four screw holes 23 is provided adjacent to one another in the second axial end region of the first side wall 17, the first axial end region of the second side wall 20, and the second axial end region of the second side wall 20. These also pass through the support surface 24 formed by the recess 25.

[0031] The housing 1 further comprises a third front cover 27 connected to a first front surface of the base element 2 and a fourth front cover 28 connected to a second front surface of the base element 2. The first and second front covers 12, 13 are welded to the base element 2, respectively.

[0032] The housing 1 also comprises a third and a fourth housing element configured as a second intermediate element 15′ and a third intermediate element 15″. The second intermediate element 15′ and the third intermediate element 15″ are each designed identically to the first intermediate element 15. In this respect, what has been said with respect to the intermediate element 15 also applies to the second intermediate element 15′ and the third intermediate element 15″. In the figures, identical features are provided with identical reference symbols, and the features of the second intermediate element 15′ and the third intermediate element 15″ are respectively prefixed with one and two apostrophes.

[0033] Mounting surface 5 of base element 2 is in close contact with lower mounting surface 18 of intermediate element 15, and mounting surface 7 is in close contact with lower mounting surface 21 of intermediate element 15. A plurality of screws 14 pass through these surfaces, tightly fastening the first side walls 4, 17 and second side walls 6, 20 of each housing element. The first front cover 12 and third front cover 27, and the second front cover 13 and fourth front cover 28 are further fastened together by screws. Thus, a first housing chamber 37 is defined by base element 2, intermediate element 15, and four front covers 12, 13, 27, 28. A first energy storage device can be inserted into this first housing chamber 37.

[0034] The upper mounting surface 19 of the intermediate element 15 is in sealing contact with the lower mounting surface 18' of the second intermediate element 15', and the upper mounting surface 22 of the intermediate element 15 is in sealing contact with the lower mounting surface 21' of the second intermediate element 15'. A plurality of screws 14 pass through these surfaces, sealingly fastening the first side walls 17, 17' and second side walls 20, 20' of each housing element 15, 15' to one another. The third front covers 27, 27' and fourth front covers 28, 28' are also securely fastened together by separate screws. Thus, the first intermediate element 15, the second intermediate element 15', and the four front covers 27, 27', 28, 28' define a second housing chamber 38 into which a second energy storage device can be inserted.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7, the second intermediate element can be connected to one or more further intermediate elements, thereby forming further housing chambers into which further energy storage devices can be inserted. The series of intermediate elements can be terminated by end elements (not shown), which can be designed similarly to the base element.

[0036] The housing 1 has at least one support element 29, via which the housing 1 can be attached or supported to an adjacent element, for example a frame or a floor. The support element 29 can contact the adjacent element via a support part 33, which is provided with a through hole 34 that can be threaded onto a screw thread of the adjacent element. The adjacent element can be, for example, a floor panel or a vehicle.

[0037] The support element 29 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 has a connecting portion 30 at a first position. This connecting portion 30 allows the support element 29 to abut against the first side wall 4 of the base element 2 and the first side wall 17 of the first intermediate element 15. To this end, the mating portion 31 fits into the complementary recess 10 of the base element 2, and the second mating portion 32 fits into the complementary recess 25 of the first intermediate element 15. Four screws 35 each pass through the connecting portion 30 with the mating portion 31 and engage with the corresponding threaded holes 8 of the base element 2, thereby fixing the base element 2 and the support element 29 to each other via the screws 35. Four screws 36 each pass through the connecting portion 30 with the mating portion 32 and engage with the corresponding threaded holes 23 of the first intermediate element 15, thereby fastening the intermediate element 15 and the support element 29 to each other via the screws 36. The illustrated support element 29 and its connection to the housing 2 via eight screws is exemplary, and it will be understood that in particular the support element may be connected to the housing 2 via more or fewer screws.

[0038] In this embodiment, the housing 1 has four support elements 29, which are connected to the corners of the base element 2 and the first intermediate element 15 at a first location. The four support portions of the four support elements together form a support surface, which can be positioned vertically below the first support surface E_T2.

[0039] Optionally, the support element can be positioned in a second position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this case, the connecting portion 30 can contact the first side wall 17 of the first intermediate element 15 and the first side wall 17 of the second intermediate element 15. Thus, the mating portion 31 fits into the complementary recess 25 of the first intermediate element 15, and the second mating portion 32 fits into the complementary recess 25' of the second intermediate element 15'. Four screws 35 pass through the connecting portion 30 with the mating portion 31 and engage with corresponding threaded holes 23 of the first intermediate element 15, fastening the intermediate element 15 and the support element 29 together via the screws 35. Four screws 36 pass through the connecting portion 30 with the mating portion 32 and engage with corresponding threaded holes 23' of the second intermediate element 15', fastening the second intermediate element 15' and the support element 29 together via the screws 36.

[0040] The four support elements are connected at their respective ends to the first intermediate element 15 and the second intermediate element 15' at the second position. The four support portions of the four support elements together form a support surface that can be positioned vertically above the first support surface E_T2.

[0041] It will be appreciated that the support element 29 may be connected to the second intermediate element 15≡ and the third intermediate element 15≡≡ at a third location.

[0042] Although the accompanying figures show an embodiment in which the support element 29 is supported by the first and second housing elements respectively, it is also conceivable, particularly in the case of low loads, for the support element to be supported by only one housing element. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1. Housing 2 Base Elements 3 Support part 4 side wall 5 Mounting surface 6 side wall 7 Mounting surface 8 screw holes 9 Support surface 10 recess 11 Cooling Channel 12 Front cover 13 Front cover 14 screws 15 Intermediate Elements 16 Support part 17 Side wall 18 Lower mounting surface 19 Upper mounting surface 20 side wall 21 Lower mounting surface 22 Upper mounting surface 23 screw holes 24 Support surface 25 recess 26 Cooling Channel 27 Front cover 28 Front cover 29 Bearing elements 30 Connecting part 31 Fitting part 32 Fitting part 33 Contact area 34 Through hole 35 screws 36 screws 37 Housing Room 38 Housing Room E side L axis

Claims

1. A housing, particularly a housing for an energy storage device, comprising a prismatic first housing element having a base extending along a longitudinal axis, the first housing element having a first side wall on a first longitudinal side and a second side wall on a second longitudinal side, a support extending between said side walls, said support spanning said first support surface, and a second housing element arranged transversely to said longitudinal axis and spaced apart from said support (3), said second housing element being connected to said first housing element, wherein a first housing chamber is defined by said first housing element and said second housing element; A housing in which a support element for supporting the housing against an adjacent element is connectable to the first housing element via a first screw, the first screw engaging with a threaded hole in the first housing element, the threaded hole being at least partially disposed within a first support surface, and the hole axis of the threaded hole being disposed parallel to the first support surface.

2. 2. The housing of claim 1, wherein the second housing element has a bottom surface designed as a prism extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the second housing element having a first side wall in a first longitudinal direction and a second side wall in a second longitudinal direction, a support extending therebetween, the support spanning a second support surface, the support element being connectable to the second housing element via a second screw, the first screw engaging with a threaded hole in the second housing element, the threaded hole being at least partially located in the second support surface, the hole axis of the threaded hole being parallel to the second support surface.

3. 2. The housing according to claim 1, further comprising a third housing element having a base and designed as a prism extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the third housing element having a first side wall on a first longitudinal side and a second side wall on a second longitudinal side, between which a support portion extending across the third support surface extends, the third housing element being spaced apart from the support portion of the second housing element in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and connected to the second housing element such that a second housing chamber is defined by the second housing element and the third housing element.

4. 4. The housing of claim 3, wherein the second housing element and the third housing element have the same prismatic shape or the same prismatic base.

5. 4. The housing of claim 3, wherein the third housing element includes a threaded hole at least partially disposed within the third support surface, the threaded hole having a hole axis parallel to the third support surface.

6. 6. The housing of claim 5, wherein the threaded holes in the second housing element are complementary to the first and second screws, and the threaded holes in the third housing element are complementary to the second screws.

7. 4. The housing of claim 3, wherein the first support surface, the second support surface, and the third support surface are arranged in parallel, and the distance between the first support surface and the second support surface is equal to the distance between the second support surface and the third support surface.

8. 3. The housing according to claim 2, wherein the support element has a connection portion that abuts against the first side wall of the first housing element and / or against the first side wall of the second housing element.

9. The connection portion of the support element has a first fitting portion and a second fitting portion, the first housing element has a recess; the second housing element has a recess; the third housing element has a recess; the recess of the first housing element is complementary to the first mating portion; the recess of the second housing element is complementary to the first mating portion and the second mating portion; 9. The housing of claim 8, wherein the recess in the third housing element is complementary to the second mating portion.

10. 9. The housing according to claim 8, wherein the support element has a support portion through which the support element can contact an adjacent element, the support portion extending transversely to the connecting portion.

11. 2. The housing of claim 1, wherein a first side wall of the first housing element contacts a first side wall of the second housing element and a second side wall of the first housing element contacts a second side wall of the second housing element.

12. 2. The housing of claim 1, wherein a first front cover is connected to the first housing element at a first front face of the housing, and a second front cover is connected to the first housing element at a second front face of the housing.

13. a third front cover connected to the second housing element at the first front face of the housing; a fourth front cover connected to the second housing element at a second front surface of the housing; 12. The housing according to claim 11, wherein one housing chamber is defined by the first housing element, the second housing element, the first front cover, the second front cover, the third front cover, and the fourth front cover.

Images