Battery Assembly for Automotive Vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to - heat exchange panels (13) stacked and arranged along an E axis, each heat exchange panel (13) corrugated along a C axis perpendicular to the E axis into a convex-concave shape (14) having alternating convex portions (15) and concave portions (17), and a fluid conduit (19) is formed in at least one of the concave portions (17) of each convex-concave shape and the convex portions (15) of each convex-concave shape (14); - battery modules (11) arranged in parallel and staggered fashion, each battery module (11) including at least one pouch-shaped battery cell, each battery module (11) being housed within at least one concave-convex shape (14) and exchanging heat with a fluid; The present invention relates to a battery assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising: The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a battery assembly.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery assembly for an automotive vehicle and a method for manufacturing the battery assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Battery assemblies for motor vehicles comprising a number of battery modules are already known in the prior art from documents such as US 2021 / 0143495 A1, DE 10 2017 210 343 A1, WO 2020 / 179355 A1 and US 2020 / 0365956 A1. The temperature of the battery modules must be regulated in order to enable optimal operation. To this end, the battery assemblies comprise a heat exchanger, whereby the temperature of the battery modules can be regulated by means of a fluid circulating in the heat exchanger.

[0003] However, the manufacture and assembly of such battery assemblies is relatively complex and expensive, and such battery assemblies are also relatively bulky.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to realize a battery assembly that can be equipped with a large number of battery modules while optimizing cooling and safety aspects, such as protection from "thermal runaway," with an extremely simple design that can be easily adapted to the power demands of the automotive vehicle in which it is installed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] US 2021 / 0143495 A1 [Patent Document 2] DE 10 2017 210 343 A1 [Patent Document 3] WO 2020 / 179355 A1 [Patent Document 4] US 2020 / 0365956 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has a particular aim to simplify the assembly of battery assemblies comprising temperature regulated battery modules. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides - heat exchange panels arranged in a stack along an E axis, each heat exchange panel being corrugated in a concave-convex shape having alternating convex and concave portions along a C axis perpendicular to the E axis, and a fluid conduit is formed in at least one of the concave portions of each of the concave and convex portions of each of the concave and convex portions; - battery modules arranged in a parallel and staggered manner to form a plurality of rows of the battery modules along the C-axis stacked along the E-axis, each row being offset along the C-axis from only one adjacent row or from two adjacent rows aligned with each other along the C-axis, thereby forming a plurality of rows of the battery modules along the E-axis, each battery module having at least one battery cell, preferably pouch-shaped, each battery module being fitted within at least one concave-convex shape and exchanging heat with a fluid; The present invention relates to a battery assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

[0008] Such a battery assembly can be equipped with a large number of battery modules while optimizing cooling and safety aspects, such as protection against thermal runaway, and can be realized with an extremely simple design that can be easily adapted to the power demands of the automotive vehicle in which it is installed.

[0009] The term "pouch cell battery" should be understood, in particular according to the usual meaning of this expression in the battery field, as a pouch-shaped battery cell in which the electrolyte and the electrodes are accommodated in an internal space, which is enclosed by a pouch-shaped covering. The covering includes an outer shielding layer, a metal layer and possibly an inner adhesive layer. The outer shielding layer prevents the penetration of external moisture and / or gases and is made of a polymer material or the like. The metal layer is capable of increasing the mechanical strength of the covering. The metal layer is formed by an alloy of iron, carbon, chromium and manganese, or by steel, or by nickel, or by a nickel alloy or by aluminum. The electrodes extend from the covering in the form of tongue-shaped conductors, which, when the covering is sealed around them, form the electrodes of the pouch battery cell when the pouch battery cell is assembled. The pouch battery cell is preferably rectangular.

[0010] Other optional features of the battery assembly taken individually or in combination include:

[0011] The battery module is rechargeable, i.e., the battery module is of the secondary battery type.

[0012] - Each battery module is clamped between two heat exchange panels.

[0013] - each battery module comprises at least one prismatic battery cell. By "prismatic battery cell" it is to be understood, inter alia, in accordance with the usual meaning of this expression in the battery sector, that the electrolyte and the electrodes are contained in an internal space of the prismatic battery cell, which is enclosed by a covering in the form of a rigid container, for example based on a metal, such as aluminium, or made of a plastic or polymer material.

[0014] Each battery module comprises at least one pouch-type battery cell.

[0015] - Heat exchange panels are mainly made of aluminum, which makes their production economical.

[0016] - The heat exchanger panels are extruded profiles, which makes their production very simple and economical.

[0017] The heat exchanger panels are formed by plates welded together and defining fluid channels between them, so that their manufacture is very simple and economical.

[0018] - The heat exchange panels are stacked on top of each other.

[0019] - Heat exchange panels are all identical, which simplifies their design and reduces costs.

[0020] The fluid is a temperature regulating fluid, preferably liquid, so that it is possible to use, for example, a cooling fluid already used for another purpose in the motor vehicle and which is available for regulating the temperature of the battery assembly.

[0021] - Each battery module is arranged in a concave or convex portion of the concave-convex shape.

[0022] - In each heat exchange panel, each concave and / or convex portion of the concave and convex shapes has a shape complementary to the shape of the battery module, so that it is very easy to position and hold the battery module along the C-axis during the battery assembly. In addition, the temperature is also regulated on the side walls of each battery module, optimizing the temperature regulation of the battery modules.

[0023] - Battery modules are all identical, which simplifies their design and reduces costs.

[0024] Each battery module comprises a first battery cell, preferably a pouch-type battery cell, a second battery cell, preferably a pouch-type battery cell, and a layer of compressible material sandwiched between the first and second battery cells, stacked along the E axis, each battery cell having two cell electrodes facing opposite each other with respect to the E axis and transversely to the C axis, each adjacent pair of cell electrodes being welded to form one electrode of the battery module. In fact, battery cells, for example pouch-type battery cells, deform by expanding and then contracting during successive cycles of charging and discharging. The presence of the compressible layer therefore makes it possible to compensate for the high stresses that would otherwise be exerted on the heat exchange panel by the expansion and subsequent contraction of the battery cells due to the charging and discharging cycles. By "layer of compressible material", it is especially necessary to understand the layer of compressible material as being more compressible along the E axis than the other elements of the battery module, i.e. the first and second battery cells.

[0025] - In each heat exchange panel, a fluid conduit is formed in each concave-convex recess, and a fluid conduit is formed in each convex-convex projection. Therefore, temperature regulation is performed simultaneously in each concave-convex recess and each convex-convex projection, so that temperature regulation of the battery module is optimized. In this way, each battery module is necessarily surrounded by at least two fluid conduits.

[0026] - A heat exchange plate corrugated in a convex-concave shape with alternating convex and concave portions along the E axis is sandwiched between the first heat exchange panel and the second heat exchange panel, such that the convex-concave portions of the heat exchange plate are in contact with and aligned with the convex-concave portions of the first heat exchange panel, and the convex-concave portions of the heat exchange plate are in contact with and aligned with the convex-concave portions of the second heat exchange panel, thereby improving thermal protection against thermal runaway since the battery modules are isolated from each other not only by the heat exchange panels but also by the heat exchange plate.

[0027] - The profile of the heat exchanger plate is trapezoidal in shape, which allows easy stacking of multiple heat exchanger plates during storage prior to the manufacture of the battery assembly. The trapezoidal shape also allows easy insertion of the battery module into the profile.

[0028] - The profile of the heat exchange panel is trapezoidal in shape, which allows easy stacking of multiple heat exchange panels during storage prior to the manufacture of the battery assemblies. The trapezoidal shape also allows for easy insertion of the battery modules into the profile.

[0029] - The contours of the heat exchange plate and the contours of the heat exchange panel have the same width along the C-axis, which simplifies the positioning of the heat exchange plate relative to the heat exchange panel.

[0030] - Each of the concave and / or convex portions of the heat exchanger plate has a shape complementary to the shape of the battery module, which makes it very easy to position and hold the battery module along the C-axis during the assembly of the battery assembly. Also, the temperature regulation of the battery module is optimized by the temperature regulation also taking place on the side walls of the battery module that are in contact with the heat exchanger plate.

[0031] - The convex and concave portions of the heat exchange plate and the convex and concave portions of the heat exchange panel all have the same width along the C-axis, which simplifies the design and reduces the cost.

[0032] - In each heat exchange panel, each of the ducts is through-hole, and each adjacent n-set of ducts, preferably each adjacent pair of ducts, is in fluid communication with a connecting joint to form at least one serpentine fluid passage. Therefore, since the ducts are through-holes, the manufacture of the heat exchange panel is simplified. Since the joints are arranged at the ends of the ducts, leakage testing is also simplified. In fact, such an arrangement allows leakage testing of the heat exchange panel prior to assembly to form a battery assembly.

[0033] The coupling joint is made of a polymer material, preferably thermoplastic, so that it is lightweight, readily available and economical.

[0034] - The coupling joint is formed by an insulating material.

[0035] In each heat exchange panel, each duct takes the form of a straight flow passage opening out on both sides of the heat exchange panel.

[0036] The connecting joint is fixed to the heat exchange panel by at least one fastening element, preferably by at least one screw.

[0037] - the connecting joint has a small plate piece configured to form a support surface for two adjacent electrodes of a row of battery modules, the two electrodes being welded between each other, preferably by laser, thus simplifying the manufacture of the battery assembly;

[0038] - the small plate is formed at the end of the connecting joint distal to the heat exchange panel, the connecting joint has a support leg, and the small plate is supported only by the support leg, so that even if the small plate is damaged during the manufacturing of the battery assembly, for example due to heat released during welding, the risk of damage to other parts of the connecting joint, including the fluid conductive parts, is significantly reduced.

[0039] - in each heat exchange panel, a fluid inlet fitting is disposed at an end of a conduit formed at one end of the heat exchange panel, and a fluid outlet fitting is disposed at an end of a conduit formed at the other end of the heat exchange panel, such that each heat exchange panel has only one fluid inlet and only one fluid outlet, as well as a plurality of heat exchange paths formed by the conduits.

[0040] - each fluid inlet fitting is connected to a distribution pipe having only one fluid inlet, which preferably takes the form of a quick coupling, and each fluid outlet fitting is connected to a collector pipe having only one fluid outlet, which preferably takes the form of a quick coupling, thereby simplifying the fluid connection of the battery assembly to the fluid circulation system of the motor vehicle;

[0041] - The battery assembly includes an axial clamping element that compresses the heat exchange panel and the battery module along the E-axis, thereby easily maintaining the integrity of the battery assembly.

[0042] - the axial tightening element surrounds the battery assembly and is a tightening band or tightening belt. Such an assembly allows easy disassembly of the battery assembly for reuse or recycling of its components.

[0043] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a battery assembly as defined above.

[0044] The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a battery assembly as defined above, comprising the steps of: - manufacturing heat exchange panels, preferably by extrusion, each heat exchange panel being corrugated along a C-axis perpendicular to the E-axis with alternating convex and concave portions, and a fluid conduit is formed in at least one of the concave portions of each convex and concave portion, each conduit being a through passage; - for each adjacent n-set of pipes, preferably each adjacent pair of pipes, in each heat exchange panel, attaching a coupling joint fluidly connecting the adjacent n-set of pipes, preferably the adjacent pair of pipes, to each other such that at least one serpentine fluid passage is formed, the coupling joint comprising a strip of plate configured to form a support surface; - locating, at each heat exchange panel, a fluid inlet fitting at one end of a conduit formed at one end of the heat exchange panel and a fluid outlet fitting at one end of a conduit formed at the other end of the heat exchange panel, preferably circulating a fluid from the fluid inlet fitting to the fluid outlet fitting for fluid leakage testing; - arranging the heat exchange panels in a stack along the E-axis and arranging the battery modules, each having at least one battery cell, preferably a pouch-type battery cell, in parallel and staggered arrangements, such that each battery module fits within at least one concave-convex shape and exchanges heat with the fluid; - disposing an axial clamping element that compresses the heat exchange panel and the battery module along the E axis; - folding and welding two adjacent electrodes of the battery modules arranged stacked on each other along the E-axis on at least one small plate piece; The present invention relates to a manufacturing method comprising the steps of:

[0045] In this way, a very simple and economical method for manufacturing a battery assembly is obtained, which makes it possible to obtain a compact battery assembly whilst still achieving excellent temperature regulation of the battery module.

[0046] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle including a battery assembly including a plurality of battery modules. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the battery assembly. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a set of side views of a battery module. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the battery module. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a detail of a battery assembly according to a first variant embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a detail of a battery assembly according to a first variant embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a thermal panel according to a first variant of the battery assembly. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a plate according to a first modified embodiment of the battery assembly. [Figure 9] 11A-11C are schematic cross-sectional side views of thermal panels according to second and third variants of the battery assembly. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a detail of a battery assembly according to a second variant. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a detail of a battery assembly according to a third variant. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a battery assembly including a battery module according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the battery assembly of FIG. 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] In all drawings, like numbers correspond to identical elements.

[0049] In this detailed description, the embodiments given below are examples. Although the description describes one or more embodiments, this does not mean that the features are limited to only one embodiment. Individual features of the various embodiments may be combined and / or substituted to produce other implementations.

[0050] 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1 comprising a battery assembly 3 and a cooling circuit 5 for a temperature-regulating fluid, preferably a liquid, with a heat exchanger 7 for exchanging heat with, for example, the ambient air. In this example, the motor vehicle 1 is a battery-electric vehicle and therefore comprises an electric motor 9 arranged to drive the movement of the motor vehicle 1.

[0051] As can be clearly seen from FIGS. 3 to 6, the battery assembly 3 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a plurality of rechargeable battery modules 11 and a plurality of heat exchange panels 13 according to a first modified embodiment.

[0052] In the three variants shown in Figures 5, 10 and 11, the heat exchanger panels 13, 13' are arranged stacked along the E axis, and each heat exchanger panel 13, 13' is wavy in the form of a concave-convex shape 14, 14' having alternating convex portions 15, 15' and concave portions 17, 17' along the C axis perpendicular to the E axis. Fluid conduits 19, 19' are formed in at least one of the concave portions 17, 17' of each concave-convex shape 14, 14' and the convex portions 15, 15' of each concave-convex shape 14, 14'. The fluid is a temperature regulating fluid, preferably a liquid. The heat exchanger panels 13, 13' are stacked one on top of the other. In the examples taken, the heat exchanger panels 13, 13' are all identical. Also, in each heat exchange panel 13, 13', the recesses 17, 17' and / or protrusions 15, 15' of each uneven shape 14, 14' have a shape complementary to the shape of the battery module 11. The uneven shapes 14, 14' of the heat exchange panel 13, 13' have the same width along the C-axis.

[0053] In these variants, the heat exchanger panel 13, 13' is based on aluminium. According to one variant, the heat exchanger panel 13, 13' is an extruded profile. According to another variant, the heat exchanger panel 13, 13' is formed by a number of plates welded together after pressing, between which the fluid channels 19, 19' are defined. The recesses 14, 14' of the heat exchanger panel 13, 13' are, for example, trapezoidal in shape.

[0054] The battery modules 11 are arranged in parallel and staggered fashion. Each battery module 11 generates, for example, a voltage of about 4 volts. The battery modules 11 form a plurality of rows of battery modules along the C axis, stacked along the E axis, with each row offset along the C axis with respect to only one adjacent row - i.e. when the row is in an end position - and with respect to two adjacent rows aligned with each other along the C axis, forming a plurality of rows of battery modules 11 along the E axis. More specifically, in this example, the battery assembly 3 comprises a plurality of rows and rows of battery modules 11, for example consisting of two rows of four battery modules 11 as shown in Figures 5, 10 and 11.

[0055] Each battery module 11 includes at least one battery cell 20, preferably pouch-shaped, which fits into at least one concave-convex shape 14, 14' and exchanges heat with the fluid. To this end, each battery module 11 is compressed between two heat exchange panels 13, 13'. In this example, the battery modules 11 are identical. To achieve this compression, the battery assembly 3 comprises an axial clamping element 21 that compresses the heat exchange panels 13, 13' and the battery modules 11 along the E axis. In this example, the axial clamping element 21 surrounds the battery assembly 3 and is a clamping band or belt, as shown in FIG. 2. The at least one battery cell 20, preferably pouch-shaped, is, for example, of the lithium-ion type.

[0056] According to a first variant embodiment of the battery module 11 shown in Figures 3 and 4, each battery module 11 comprises a first battery cell 20, preferably pouch-shaped, a second battery cell 20, preferably pouch-shaped, and a layer 22 of compressible material sandwiched between the first and second battery cells 20, stacked along the E axis. The left-hand view of Figure 3, labeled 3A, shows the battery module 11 in a non-compressed state, while the right-hand view of Figure 3, labeled 3B, shows the battery module 11 in a compressed state, arranged in a mounted state within the battery assembly 3. Each battery cell 20 comprises two cell electrodes that are opposite to each other with respect to the E axis and transversely to the C axis. In this example, the cell electrodes of each adjacent pair are welded to each other to form the +, - electrodes of the battery module 11.

[0057] According to a second variant embodiment of the battery modules 11, not shown, each battery module 11 comprises only one battery cell, preferably of the pouch type.

[0058] According to a third variant embodiment of the battery module 11 shown in Figures 12 and 13, each battery module 11 comprises a prismatic first battery cell 20', a prismatic second battery cell 20', and a layer of compressible material 22 sandwiched between the prismatic first battery cell 20' and the prismatic second battery cell 20', stacked along the E-axis.

[0059] According to a fourth variant embodiment of the battery modules 11, not shown, each battery module 11 comprises only one battery cell of the prismatic type.

[0060] According to the first variant embodiment of the heat exchange panel 13 shown in Fig. 5, in each heat exchange panel 13, a fluid duct 19 is formed in the recess 17 of each of the indentations 14, and a fluid duct 19 is formed in the protrusion 15 of each of the indentations 14. This can be seen clearly in Fig. 7, which shows the heat exchange panel 13 according to the first variant embodiment.

[0061] Also, a heat exchange plate 23 undulating in the form of a convex-concave shape 24 having alternating convex portions 25 and concave portions 27 along the E axis is sandwiched between the first heat exchange panel 13 and the second heat exchange panel 13, with the concave portions 27 of the convex-concave shape 24 of the heat exchange plate 23 contacting and aligned with the convex portions 15 of the convex-concave shape 14 of the first heat exchange panel 13, and the convex portions 25 of the convex-concave shape 24 of the heat exchange plate 23 contacting and aligned with the concave portions 17 of the second heat exchange panel 13. Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the heat exchange plate 23.

[0062] In this variant, the indentations 24 of the heat exchange plate 23 and the indentations 14 of the heat exchange panel 13 have the same width along the C-axis. The recesses 27 and / or protrusions 25 of each indentation 24 of the heat exchange plate 23 have a shape complementary to the shape of the battery module 11.

[0063] The pattern produced by the stacking of the first heat exchange panel 13, the heat exchange plate 23 and the second heat exchange panel can be repeated. The indentation 24 of the heat exchange plate 23 is for example in the shape of a trapezoid.

[0064] Each of the ducts 19 penetrates within each of the heat exchange panels 13. More specifically, each of the ducts 19 is in the form of a straight passage opening on both sides of the heat exchange panel 13.

[0065] Each adjacent n-pair of pipes 19, preferably each adjacent pair of pipes 19, is fluidly connected by a coupling joint 29, as shown in FIG. 2, to form at least one serpentine fluid passage. The coupling joint 29 is made of a polymer material, preferably thermoplastic. The coupling joint 29 is also made of an insulating material. The coupling joint 29 is fixed to the heat exchange panel 13 by at least one fastening element, preferably at least one screw. To enable the fixing, the heat exchange panel 13 has a through hole or the like (not shown) formed in the connection zone between the convex portion 15 and the concave portion 17 of each concave-convex shape 14.

[0066] The connecting joint 29 has a small plate piece 31 configured to form a support surface for two adjacent electrodes +, - of a row of battery modules 11, and the two electrodes +, - are welded between each other, preferably by laser. As shown in FIG. 2, the small plate piece 31 is formed at the end of the connecting joint 29 distal to the heat exchange panel 13, and the connecting joint 29 has a support leg 33, and the small plate piece 31 is supported only by the support leg 33.

[0067] Meanwhile, in each heat exchange panel 13, a fluid inlet joint 35 is disposed at an end of a duct 19 formed at one end of the heat exchange panel 13, and a fluid outlet joint 37 is disposed at an end of the duct 19 formed at the other end of the heat exchange panel 13. In this example, the fluid inlet joint 35 and the fluid outlet joint 37 each have a small plate piece 41 configured to form a support surface for two adjacent electrodes + and - of a row of battery modules 11. The two electrodes + and - are welded between each other, preferably by laser. As shown in FIG. 2, the small plate piece 41 is formed at one end of the fluid inlet joint 35 and at one end of the fluid outlet joint 37 distal to the heat exchange panel 13, respectively. The fluid inlet joint 35 and the fluid outlet joint 37 each have a support leg 43, and the small plate piece 41 is supported only by the support leg 43. Each fluid inlet fitting 35 is connected to a distribution pipe 45 having a single fluid inlet 46, which is preferably of the quick coupling type. Each fluid outlet fitting 37 is connected to a collector pipe 47 having a single fluid outlet 49, which is preferably of the quick coupling type. The fluid inlets 46 and the fluid outlet 49 are thus configured to be fluidly connected to the cooling circuit 5 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0068] According to one variant of the heat exchanger panel 13' shown in FIG. 9, in each heat exchanger panel 13', the fluid ducts 19' are formed in the recesses 17' of each of the indentations 14' or the fluid ducts 19' are formed in the protrusions 15' of each of the indentations 14'. The battery assembly 3 according to the second variant then comprises a plurality of heat exchanger panels 13' of the type shown in FIG. 9, arranged in alternating half-turns around the E axis and / or half-turns around the C axis, stacked one after the other according to the following pattern, as shown in FIG. 10: the first heat exchanger panel is in the position shown in FIG. 9, the second heat exchanger panel is half-turned around the E axis, the third heat exchanger panel is half-turned around an axis perpendicular to the plane formed by the E and C axes, and the fourth panel is half-turned around the C axis. This pattern can be repeated in whole or in part several times, for example at both ends along the E axis.

[0069] According to a third variant embodiment of the battery assembly 3, the battery assembly 3 comprises a number of heat exchanger panels 13' of the type shown in Fig. 9, stacked one after the other according to the following pattern, as shown in Fig. 11: a first heat exchanger panel is in the position shown in Fig. 9 and a second heat exchanger panel is in the position half a turn around the E axis. This pattern can be repeated in whole or in part several times, for example at both ends along the E axis.

[0070] An example of a method for manufacturing the battery assembly 3 as defined above is described below. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of: - manufacturing heat exchange panels 13, preferably by extrusion, each heat exchange panel 13 being corrugated along a C axis perpendicular to the E axis into a concave-convex shape 14 having alternating convex portions 15 and concave portions 17, and fluid conduits 19 being formed in at least one of the concave portions 17 of each concave-convex shape 14 and the convex portions 15 of each concave-convex shape 14, each conduit 19 being a through passage; - for each adjacent n-set of pipes 19, preferably each adjacent pair of pipes 19, in each heat exchange panel 13, attaching a coupling joint 29 fluidly connecting the adjacent n-set of pipes 19, preferably the adjacent pair of pipes 19, to each other so that at least one serpentine fluid passage is formed, the coupling joint 29 comprising a platelet piece 31 configured to form a support surface; - locating a fluid inlet fitting 35 at one end of a conduit 19 formed at one end of the heat exchange panel 13 and a fluid outlet fitting 37 at one end of the conduit 19 formed at the other end of the heat exchange panel 13, preferably circulating a fluid from the fluid inlet fitting 35 to the fluid outlet fitting 37 to perform a fluid leak test; - arranging the heat exchange panels 13 in a stack along the E axis and arranging the battery modules 11 in parallel and staggered fashion, such that each battery module 11 fits within at least one recessed or raised shape 14 and exchanges heat with the fluid; - disposing an axial clamping element 21 compressing the heat exchange panel 13 and the battery module 11 along the E axis; - folding and welding two adjacent electrodes +, - of the battery modules 11 arranged stacked on top of each other along the E axis on at least one small plate piece 31; Includes.

[0071] The invention is not limited to the described embodiment, other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is particularly conceivable to produce a battery pack comprising a number of battery assemblies 3 arranged in parallel to one another and electrically connected to one another by bus bars. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Motor vehicles 3 Battery Assembly 5 Cooling circuit 7 Heat exchanger 9. Electric Motor 11 Battery Module 13, 13' Heat exchange panel 14 Concave and Convex 15, 15' protrusion 17, 17' recess 19, 19' conduit 20 Battery Cells 20' Prismatic Battery Cell 21 Axial clamping element 22 Layer of compressible material 23 Heat exchange plate 24 Concave and Convex 25 Convex 27 Recess 29 Connecting joints 31 Small plate piece 33 Support legs 35 Fluid inlet fitting 37 Fluid outlet fitting 41 Small plate piece 43 Support leg 45 minute piping 46 Fluid Inlet 47 Collecting pipe 49 Fluid outlet E axis C axis - Electrode + Electrode

Claims

1. - heat exchange panels (13, 13') stacked and arranged along an E axis, each heat exchange panel (13, 13') corrugated along a C axis perpendicular to the E axis into a convex-concave shape (14, 14') having alternating convex portions (15, 15') and concave portions (17, 17'), and a fluid pipeline (19, 19') is formed in at least one of the concave portions (17, 17') of each convex-concave shape (14, 14') and the convex portions (15, 15') of each convex-concave shape (14, 14'); - battery modules (11) arranged in parallel and staggered fashion such that a plurality of rows of the battery modules (11) along the C-axis are formed in a stacked shape along the E-axis, each row being offset along the C-axis from only one adjacent row or from two adjacent rows aligned with each other along the C-axis, thereby forming a plurality of rows of the battery modules (11) along the E-axis, each battery module (11) having at least one pouch-shaped battery cell (20), each battery module (11) being housed within at least one concave-convex shape (14, 14') and exchanging heat with a fluid; A battery assembly (3) for an automotive vehicle (1), comprising:

2. 2. The battery assembly (3) of claim 1, wherein in each heat exchange panel (13), a fluid conduit (19) is formed in the recess (17) of each uneven shape (14), and a fluid conduit (19) is formed in the protrusion (15) of each uneven shape (14).

3. 3. The battery assembly (3) of claim 2, wherein a heat exchange plate (23) corrugated in a convex-concave shape (24) having alternating convex portions (25) and concave portions (27) along the E-axis is sandwiched between a first heat exchange panel (13) and a second heat exchange panel (13), such that the concave portions (27) of the convex-concave shape (24) of the heat exchange plate (23) are in contact with and aligned with the convex portions (15) of the convex-concave shape (14) of the first heat exchange panel (13), and the convex portions (15) of the convex-concave shape (24) of the heat exchange plate (23) are in contact with and aligned with the concave portions (17) of the second heat exchange panel (13).

4. In each heat exchange panel (13, 13'), - each of the pipes (19, 19') penetrates through A battery assembly (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each adjacent n-pair of ducts (19, 19'), preferably each adjacent pair of ducts (19, 19'), are fluidly connected by a coupling joint (29) to form at least one serpentine fluid passage.

5. 5. The battery assembly (3) according to claim 4, wherein the connecting joint (29) is made of a polymeric material, preferably thermoplastic.

6. 6. A battery assembly (3) as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the connecting joint (29) comprises a small plate piece (31) configured to form a support surface for two adjacent electrodes (+, -) of a row of battery modules (11), the two electrodes (+, -) being welded between each other, preferably by laser.

7. 7. The battery assembly (3) of claim 6, wherein the small plate piece (31) is formed at a distal end of the connecting joint (29) of the heat exchange panel (13, 13'), the connecting joint (29) has a support leg (33), and the small plate piece (31) is supported only by the support leg (33).

8. 8. The battery assembly (3) of claim 1, wherein in each heat exchange panel (13, 13'), a fluid inlet fitting (35) is disposed at an end of a pipe (19, 19') formed at one end of the heat exchange panel (13, 13') and a fluid outlet fitting (37) is disposed at an end of a pipe (19, 19') formed at the other end of the heat exchange panel (13).

9. 9. A battery assembly (3) as claimed in claim 8, wherein each fluid inlet fitting (35) is connected to a distribution pipe (45) having only one fluid inlet (46), said fluid inlet (46) preferably taking the form of a quick coupling, and each fluid outlet fitting (37) is connected to a collector pipe (47) having only one fluid outlet (49), said fluid outlet (49) preferably taking the form of a quick coupling.

10. A method for manufacturing a battery assembly (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: - manufacturing heat exchange panels (13, 13'), preferably by extrusion, each heat exchange panel (13, 13') being corrugated along a C axis perpendicular to the E axis into a concave-convex shape (14, 14') having alternating convex portions (15, 15') and concave portions (17, 17'), and fluid conduits (19, 19') are formed in at least one of the concave portions (17, 17') of each concave shape (14, 14') and the convex portions (15, 15') of each concave shape (14, 14'), each conduit (19, 19') being a through passage; - for each adjacent n-set of pipes (19, 19'), preferably for each adjacent pair of pipes (19, 19'), in each heat exchange panel (13, 13'), attaching a coupling joint (29) fluidly connecting said adjacent n-set of pipes (19, 19'), preferably said adjacent pair of pipes (19, 19'), to each other so that at least one serpentine fluid passage is formed, said coupling joint (29) comprising a platelet piece (31) configured to form a support surface; - arranging, for each heat exchange panel (13, 13'), a fluid inlet fitting (35) at one end of a pipe line (19, 19') formed at one end of the heat exchange panel (13, 13') and a fluid outlet fitting (37) at one end of the pipe line (19, 19') formed at the other end of the heat exchange panel (13, 13'), preferably circulating a fluid from the fluid inlet fitting (35) to the fluid outlet fitting (37) to perform a fluid leakage test; - arranging the heat exchange panels (13, 13') in a stacked manner along the E-axis and arranging the battery modules (11) in parallel and alternating fashion, each having at least one battery cell (20), preferably a pouch-type battery cell (20), such that each battery module (11) fits within at least one recessed or raised shape (14, 14') and exchanges heat with said fluid; - disposing an axial clamping element (21) that compresses the heat exchange panel (13, 13') and the battery module (11) along the E-axis; - folding and welding two adjacent electrodes (+, -) of the battery modules (11) arranged stacked on top of each other along the E-axis on at least one small plate piece (31); The method includes:

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