Electrical energy storage units for motorized vehicles, especially automobiles, and motorized vehicles
The electrical energy storage unit for vehicles addresses thermal event propagation by using insulated fuses and defining elements to isolate faulty cells, ensuring reliable operation and preventing heat dissipation, thus enhancing safety and robustness.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
Smart Images
Figure 2026521297000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical energy storage unit for a vehicle with a prime mover, particularly for an automobile, according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle with a prime mover having at least one such electrical energy storage unit.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cell connector for connecting cell terminals (cell connectors). At least one connecting element formed of a conductive material is provided, and the connecting element includes two connection ranges and one fuse range disposed between the connection ranges, and the fuse range has a range with a reduced cross-section and is thereby particularly formed as a fuse.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] The problem of the present invention is to provide an electrical energy storage unit for a vehicle with a prime mover and a vehicle with a prime mover having at least one such electrical energy storage unit so as to particularly realize reliable operation.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] This problem is solved by an electrical energy storage unit for a vehicle with a prime mover having the features of claim 1 and a vehicle with a prime mover having the features of claim 10 according to the present invention. Advantageous configurations of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.
[0006] A first aspect of the present invention relates to an electrical energy storage unit for a motorized vehicle, also simply called an energy storage unit or simply a vehicle. This means that a motorized vehicle, preferably formed as an automobile, and more particularly as a passenger car, is equipped with an electrical energy storage unit in its fully manufactured state, and that electrical energy can be stored or is stored, particularly electrochemically, using or in the electrical energy storage unit. Preferably, the electrical energy storage unit is a high-voltage component, and its voltage, particularly the operating voltage or rated voltage, is preferably greater than 50 volts, particularly greater than 60 volts, and very preferably several hundred volts. The electrical energy storage unit is also called a battery, and more particularly a secondary battery, and in particular, if the electrical energy storage unit is a high-voltage component, the electrical energy storage unit is also called a high-voltage battery (HV battery).
[0007] The electrical energy storage unit comprises a storage housing that specifically defines the storage space. In particular, the storage space is directly defined by the inner circumferential jacket surface of the storage housing. The electrical energy storage unit also comprises a plurality of storage cells arranged within the storage space, and therefore within the storage housing, and the electrical energy can or is stored using or in the storage cells, specifically electrochemically. The storage cells are also called simply cells or individual cells, and are formed separately from each other and apart from the storage housing. Each storage cell comprises a cell housing and at least one connect element, also called a terminal. Each connect element is also called each first connect element. In the foregoing and following, when each connect element is referred to, unless otherwise specified, each connect element can be understood as each first connect element of each storage cell. For example, each storage cell is provided with at least two, or exactly two, connect elements, also called terminals, namely the first connect element and the second connect element described above. Each storage cell can provide the electrical energy to be stored using each storage cell via each connect element. Furthermore, electrical energy provided or available from, for example, the electromechanism of a motorized vehicle can be supplied to each storage cell via each connect element and stored in each storage cell 4, and thus stored in each storage cell 4.
[0008] The electrical energy storage unit also includes a connecting device located within the storage space, which is formed separately from the storage housing and the storage cells, and therefore separately from the connect elements. In this case, each connect element is assigned to one of the connecting elements of the connecting device. The connecting device is also called a cell contact system, cell contact system, or ZKS. For example, each connect element is located on the housing side of each cell housing of each storage cell, and in particular, each connect element may protrude along or in the extension direction from each cell housing of each storage cell, such that each connect element is above each cell housing, and therefore in particular above each sub-range of each cell housing that is directly connected to each connect element.
[0009] Each connecting element of the connecting device assigned to each connecting element is electrically and preferably mechanically connected to each connecting element assigned to that connecting element. Because each connecting element assigned to each connecting element is assigned to that connecting element, conversely, each connecting element assigned to each connecting element is assigned to each connecting element assigned to that connecting element. Because each connecting element is electrically connected to each connected element assigned to it, the connecting elements and thus the storage cells are electrically connected to each other via the connecting device, so that, for example, the storage cells or connector elements are connected to each other in series or in parallel. For example, each connecting element is electrically and preferably mechanically connected to each connected element assigned to it so that each connecting element is materially bonded (welded) to that connecting element. For this purpose, for example, each connecting element is welded to each connected element assigned to it, particularly by laser welding.
[0010] Each connecting element assigned to each connect element is provided with a fuse. Each connecting element is assigned to each connector element, and each connecting element assigned to each connect element is provided with a fuse, so each fuse of each connecting element assigned to each connect element is assigned to each connect element to which each connect element is assigned, and vice versa. Each fuse is each fuse range of each connecting element. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, each fuse is formed by, for example, a particularly localized narrowing or reduction in the cross-sectional area of each connecting element, so that, for example, each fuse of each connecting element has a smaller cross-section than the subrange of each connecting element following each fuse of each connecting element on both sides. In particular, each connecting element, and by extension each fuse and each subrange of each connecting element, is formed of a conductive metallic material, such as copper or aluminum. Due to the aforementioned particularly localized reductions or narrowings in cross-section, and therefore the fact that the fuse has a smaller cross-section than the aforementioned portion range of each connecting element, the following occurs: for example, a particularly thermal event in one of the storage cells causes a current, also called a fault current, to flow through the connecting element assigned to the connecting element of the storage cell having the thermal event, and if this current exceeds a particularly configurable or pre-set limit, it leads to such severe heating of the connecting element assigned to the connecting element of the storage cell having the thermal event that the fuse in the connecting element is melted and therefore blown. This is also called fuse activation. In other words, the fuse in the connecting element assigned to the connecting element of the storage cell where the thermal event is occurring is activated. The operation of the fuse electrically or galvanically isolates the storage cell (having a thermal event) from the other remaining storage cells, thus preventing, for example, the propagation of the thermal event of the storage cell (having a thermal event) to other storage cells, and thus preventing so-called heat propagation. The aforementioned limits can be shaped, i.e., defined, by the structural shape of each fuse, for example, in particular by the materials forming each connection element and / or each cross-section of each fuse.
[0011] To enable particularly advantageous, and especially, particularly reliable operation of the electrical energy storage unit, the present invention provides a housing space in which a foam material, particularly formed as a structural foam material, is arranged, particularly separately from the storage housing, separately from the storage cells, and separately from the connecting devices. The foam material is also called the first foam material. In the foregoing and subsequent descriptions, the foam material can be understood as the first foam material unless otherwise specified. For example, the first foam material is polyurethane foam (PU foam). The storage cells are bonded to each other and / or to the storage housing using the foam material, particularly by bonding. Furthermore, the following is possible: the storage housing may comprise at least two, or exactly two, housing portions formed separately from each other and bonded to each other. The first of the housing portions may be, for example, the upper part of the housing, and the second of the housing portions may be the lower part of the housing. In this case, when the electrical energy storage unit is installed, the housing portions are arranged continuously in the vehicle height direction of the motorized vehicle, and therefore vertically relative to each other, and it is conceivable that the electrical energy storage unit occupies its installed state in the fully manufactured state of the motorized vehicle equipped with the electrical energy storage unit. In this case, it is conceivable that the housing portions are joined together, and in particular, bonded to each other, using foam material. This is done, for example, so that the foam material is in direct contact with both housing portions, in particular with each of them. It is also conceivable that the foam material is in direct contact with each cell housing, in particular with each jacket surface on the outer circumference of each cell housing, so that, for example, the cell housings and thus the storage unit cells are joined together, and in particular, bonded to each other, using the foam material. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the foam material is in direct contact with the storage unit housing and in particular with each cell housing, in particular with each jacket surface on the outer circumference of each cell housing, so that, for example, each storage unit cell is joined to the storage unit housing, and in particular, bonded to each other. It is possible to prevent undesirable excessive relative movement between storage unit cells and / or between each storage unit cell and the storage unit housing by using foam material.Furthermore, by using foamed material, loads such as force can be transmitted particularly advantageously between storage cells and / or between each storage cell and the storage housing and / or between parts of the housing, thereby enabling particularly high robustness and, consequently, particularly high safety of the electrical energy storage unit.
[0012] Furthermore, according to the present invention, each fuse of each connecting element assigned to each connect element is assigned a defining element, preferably formed as a solid, which is formed separately from the storage cell, separately from the connection device, separately from the storage housing, and separately from the foam material, and provided in addition to the foam material. Each defining element can be formed from a metallic material or a synthetic resin. Each volume is defined in particular directly and / or at least partially by each defining element assigned to each fuse, and each fuse assigned to each defining element is covered by each volume on each side, also called the fuse side, opposite to each cell housing of each storage cell having each connecting element having each fuse assigned to each fuse, and in this case particularly toward one of the storage housings, particularly toward one of the housing portions. Where the terms "side" are used above and below, unless otherwise specified, "side" can be understood as each fuse side. In this case, each volume does not have foam material. This means that the defining element retains volume without foam, for example, when foam is introduced into the containment space, particularly in the liquid state of the foam, or when the raw materials that form or produce foam are introduced in the liquid state of the raw materials. As a result, each volume does not have foam in the fully manufactured state, and therefore, when the electrical energy storage unit is fully manufactured, no foam is placed in each volume. By each volume not having foam, undesirable excessive heat dissipation from each fuse can be prevented, for example, particularly advantageous insulation of each fuse can be achieved, and as a result, undesirable excessive heat dissipation from each fuse can be prevented. In other words, for example, because a defining element is not used and therefore the volume is not retained without foam, the foam comes into direct contact with each fuse, and therefore, for example, excessive heat dissipation from each fuse to the foam can occur.While foam materials may possess particularly advantageous mechanical properties and thus contribute to the particularly advantageous mechanical properties of the energy storage section, these advantageous mechanical properties of the foam material are accompanied by the disadvantageous high thermal conductivity and / or high heat capacity of the foam material. Therefore, if the foam material is in direct contact with each fuse, excess heat from each storage cell is released through the foam material. The present invention makes it possible, on the one hand, to obtain particularly high mechanical robustness of the energy storage section by using foam material. On the other hand, each fuse can be advantageously insulated by foam material, for example, by using each assigned defining element and each volume defined by each defining element. Therefore, by using the defining elements and by the defining elements holding a volume without foam material, excessive heat dissipation from the fuse can be prevented. Herein, the present invention is based particularly on the following understanding and consideration. Based on effects not described in detail here, each storage cell, formed as, for example, a lithium-ion cell, also called a battery cell, may experience an exothermic reaction. At this time, each storage cell may no longer be formed as a voltage source or function as a voltage source, and may transition (change) to a conductor having a predetermined electrical resistance, thus changing from a voltage source to a conductor having a predetermined resistance. For example, at least one of the effects is a thermal event or includes a thermal event. If the storage cells are connected (wired) in, for example, a P composite, and therefore connected in parallel with each other, then in the P composite, discharge of other remaining unfaulted storage cells may occur through the storage cells that have now formed as conductive, and therefore as conductors having a predetermined electrical resistance. Without countermeasures, the remaining unfaulted storage cells may overheat, leading to a thermal event themselves, and consequently to thermal diffusion. The present invention makes it possible to avoid the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks. Therefore, the defining element and the volume defined by the defining element, which does not have foaming material, are countermeasures to avoid thermal diffusion, or at least delay it favorably in time.
[0013] For example, if one of the storage cells experiences a medium resistance failure, the fuse assigned to that storage cell (with the medium resistance failure), which is normally activated only by a current also called a fault current caused by the medium resistance failure, will not function properly. This is because the fault current that flows through the connecting element assigned to the storage cell with the medium resistance failure, resulting from such a medium resistance failure, can fall within the range of operating currents that may occur during normal operation of the energy storage unit where no medium resistance failures in storage cells are present under normal conditions. In the event of a medium-resistance failure in one of the storage cells, it is also advantageous for the fuse of the connecting element assigned to the connecting element of the (failed) storage cell to be activated by temperature, i.e., temperature triggered, so that the faulty storage cell can be electrically isolated from the other remaining storage cells, so that the fuse of the connecting element assigned to the (failed) storage cell melts and thus activates. As a result, the fuse is activated and thus melted by the combination of the high temperature of the fuse resulting from the medium-resistance failure and the fault current resulting from the medium-resistance failure. Further background is that, in the event of a malfunction, such as a failure in the medium resistance of each storage cell, a small fault current flows through each fuse of each connecting element, which is insufficient on its own to melt, i.e., activate, the fuse, but also leads to heating of the fuse, resulting in a rise in the temperature of the fuse, which is caused not by, or solely by, the fault current, but also by another heating action, such as conduction, which is caused by the malfunction and / or by thermal events in each storage cell associated with the malfunction. The heating of the fuse caused by the fault current, i.e., the fault current in combination with another heating effect, leads to the melting and activation of the fuse, due to the use of each defining element, and because each defining element retains volume without foaming material, and each fuse is particularly advantageously insulated by foaming material.
[0014] For example, the connecting device and / or storage cell is embedded in a foam material that may have excessively high thermal conductivity and heat capacity, although this can guarantee the advantageous structural robustness of the energy storage unit as described above. Therefore, in the event of a medium-resistance failure in one of the storage cells, this may lead to undesirable excessive heat dissipation from the fuse of the connecting element assigned to the connect element of that storage cell. As a result, although the storage cell is faulty, the fuse of the connecting element assigned to the connect element of that (faulty) storage cell does not melt. However, with the present invention, even in the event of a low-resistance or medium-resistance failure in each storage cell, it is possible for each connecting element assigned to each storage cell to melt and thus operate. This is because each fuse is favorably insulated from or against the foam using its assigned defining element and the volume defined thereby, and each fuse melts, and thus breaks, and thus operates, based on the combination of the fault current flowing through the fuse and the heating of the fuse, such that a medium-resistance failure in each fuse leads to a favorable combination of the fault current flowing through the fuse and the heating of the fuse. Even in the case of a low-resistance or medium-resistance failure in each storage cell, it is possible to reach the melting, and thus the operation, of each fuse of each connecting element assigned to each connect element of each storage cell. As a result, each storage cell is favorably isolated from the other remaining storage cells that have not yet failed, even in the case of a medium-resistance failure. In other words, for each fuse to act, and thus to result in melting and breaking, and thereby to isolate each fuse from the other remaining storage cells that have not yet failed, it is sufficient for each fuse to be insulated by the foam using its assigned element and the volume defined thereby, so that the combination of the fault current and the heating of each fuse is sufficient.
[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, each volume is configured to be particularly advantageously insulated by each foam material using each defining element and the volume thereby, such that each volume is particularly completely filled with a medium having a lower thermal conductivity and / or lower heat capacity than the foam material. This means that the foam material has a first thermal conductivity and a first heat capacity, and the medium has a second thermal conductivity and a second heat capacity. Preferably, the second thermal conductivity is less than the first thermal conductivity. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the second heat capacity is less than the first heat capacity.
[0016] Another embodiment is characterized in that each medium is a gas, which enables particularly advantageous thermal insulation.
[0017] In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the gas is air, and it has been found that this makes it possible to achieve particularly favorable insulation for each fuse, especially in terms of weight and cost.
[0018] In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the defining elements are formed separately from the storage housing and are specifically directly coupled to the storage housing. This prevents undesirable relative movement between each defining element and the storage housing, thereby enabling predetermined and precise positioning of each defining element, and consequently each volume, particularly relative to each fuse. This makes it possible to ensure thermal insulation particularly advantageously. For example, each defining element may be specifically directly bonded to the storage housing. In particular, each volume may be specifically directly defined, partly by each defining element and partly by the storage housing, i.e., by each wall area of each storage housing, thereby making it possible to achieve particularly advantageous thermal insulation.
[0019] In another configuration of the present invention, the defining elements are configured to be formed separately and joined together, or to be formed integrally with each other, and therefore formed from a single component, so that the defining elements can be precisely positioned relative to the fuses and thus achieve advantageous thermal insulation for each fuse.
[0020] In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, each connect element to which each fuse-equipped connecting element is assigned is also covered at least partially, particularly toward the storage housing, on the side also called the element side, opposite to each cell housing and facing each fuse of each connecting element assigned to each connect element, so that reliable operation of each fuse can be ensured even in the event of a low-resistance or medium-resistance failure of each storage cell. Each fuse side and / or each element side is covered by each volume particularly in the extension direction, and each connect element is above each cell housing in the extension direction, as a result of which particularly advantageous heat insulation can be achieved.
[0021] In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the side of each defining element that is assigned to each fuse of each connecting element, also called the defining side, facing each connecting element, is directly coupled to each connecting element, and is particularly bonded. Therefore, preferably, particularly in the longitudinal direction, no other further members or media are placed between each connecting element and each defining element, particularly each defining side, except for an adhesive that particularly directly bonds the defining side to each connecting element, thus enabling particularly advantageous heat insulation.
[0022] Finally, it was found that if each defining side of each defining element is directly bonded to each connecting element using an adhesive different from the foam material, it is particularly advantageous in achieving particularly favorable thermal insulation for each fuse.
[0023] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a motorized vehicle, also simply called a vehicle, preferably formed as an automobile, particularly a passenger car, which has at least one electrical energy storage unit according to the first aspect of the present invention. The advantages and favorable configurations of the first aspect of the present invention can be considered as advantages and favorable configurations of the second aspect of the present invention, and vice versa.
[0024] The present invention is based, in particular, on the recognition that, in the conventional solution, since complete foaming of all storage cells including the connection element and the cell contact system is set, all storage cells, connection elements and cell contact systems are embedded in the foam material. The foam material is arranged in the accommodation space and, in particular, introduced into the accommodation space. For example, the above raw material is introduced into the accommodation space especially in the liquid state of the raw material, and based on this, for example, the raw material swells or foams and thus becomes the foam material. As described above, the foam material is used to obtain advantageous, particularly mechanical properties of the energy storage part, but the foam material may have an adverse effect on the fuse due to its thermal properties, but now it is possible to prevent this. In particular, the fuse can be thermally separated from the foam material and, for example, from the storage housing by the defining element and the volume defined thereby, so that reliable operation of each fuse can be ensured. The above assembly is, for example, an additional member formed separately from the storage cell, separately from the storage housing, separately from the foam material, and separately from the cell contact system. The defining element or member is arranged, for example, between each connection element, in particular between each fuse and the housing part, in particular the upper housing part. The member is, for example, tightly coupled, in particular adhesively bonded, to one housing part with respect to the foam material, so that, for example, the foam material does not penetrate between the one housing part and the member and enter each volume. Therefore, the intrusion of the foam material into the volume is prevented by the coupling of the member to the one housing member.
[0025] Each defining element is, for example, a protrusion also called a convex part, and the protrusion protrudes, for example, especially from each part range of the assembly following each defining element towards each fuse or each connection element assigned in particular, and at this time, for example, also from the above one housing part.
[0026] For example, if a malfunction occurs such as a thermal event in one of the storage unit cells, as a result, if the fuse of the connection element assigned to the connection element of the one storage unit cell having the thermal event is heated, for example, the heat from the fuse of the one storage unit cell having the thermal event is transmitted to the defining element assigned to the fuse, whereby, for example, the defining element melts at least partially or is fused. For example, in the volume defined by the defining element, since the medium is particularly air, as a result, the fuse assigned to the melting defining element is not thermally coupled to the storage unit housing and the foam material or is only very poorly coupled, and thus, the fuse is particularly advantageously isolated from the storage unit housing and the foam material by the medium, so that excessive heat dissipation from the fuse can be prevented. As a result, the fuse melts due to the malfunction, whereby the associated storage unit cell is electrically or galvanically separated from other still non-faulty storage unit cells. This makes it possible to ensure particularly high safety.
[0027] It is conceivable that each defining element is in direct contact with each fuse assigned to each defining element. Further, each defining element completely or comprehensively surrounds or encloses each fuse assigned to each defining element, particularly each connection element having each fuse assigned to each defining element, whereby particularly advantageous heat insulation can be achieved.
[0028] Further details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the associated drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0029] [Figure 1] It is a schematic and cut-away partial side view of an electric energy storage unit of a vehicle with a prime mover. [Figure 2] It is a schematic and cut-away partial plan view of an electric energy storage unit.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0030] In each figure, identical or functionally identical elements are given the same reference numeral.
[0031] Figure 1 shows a schematic and cutaway partial side view of an electrical energy storage unit 1 for a motorized vehicle, also simply called a vehicle. The electrical energy storage unit 1 comprises a storage housing 2, partially and particularly schematicly illustrated in Figure 1, with a storage space 3 specifically directly defined by the storage housing. The storage space 3 contains a plurality of storage cells 4 of the electrical energy storage unit 1, through which electrical energy can or is stored, particularly electrochemically. Each storage cell 4 comprises a cell housing 5 and at least one connect element 6, also called a terminal. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, it can be seen from Figure 1 that each connect element 6 is located on the cell side or cell housing side S1 of each cell housing 5 and protrudes from each cell housing 5 along the extension direction, and is therefore above each cell housing 5. The extension direction is indicated by arrow 7 in Figure 1. In the installed state of the electrical energy storage unit 1, its extension direction is, for example, upward in the vehicle height direction of the motorized vehicle. Each storage unit cell 4 can provide the electrical energy to be stored in each storage unit cell 4 via each connect element 6. In addition, electrical energy that can be provided or is provided from, for example, the electromechanism of the motorized vehicle can be supplied to, for example, each storage unit cell 4 via each connect element 6, and thus introduced into, each storage unit cell 4, and thus stored in each storage unit cell 4. In particular, it is conceivable that the motorized vehicle can be driven using the electromechanism, and especially purely electrically. For example, if the storage unit cell 4 provides electrical energy via its connect element 6, the provided electrical energy can be supplied to the electromechanism, thereby enabling the electromechanism to operate in motor operation, and thus as an electric motor. The motorized vehicle can be driven using the electric motor, and especially purely electrically. Preferably, the electromechanical device is a high-voltage component, and its voltage, in particular the operating voltage or rated voltage, is preferably greater than 50 volts, particularly greater than 60 volts, and very preferably several hundred volts.
[0032] The energy storage unit 1 also includes a connection device 8 located in the storage space 3 and formed separately from the storage unit cells 4 and the storage unit housing 2. This connection device is also called a cell contact system, cell contact system, or ZKS. As can be seen particularly with reference to Figure 2, each connect element 6 is assigned one of the connect elements 9 of the connection device 8, and each connect element 9 is also called a cell connection. For example, each connect element 6 forms one of the electrical anodes of each storage unit cell 4. Each connect element 9 assigned to each connect element 6 is electrically and preferably mechanically connected to each connect element 6 to which each connect element 9 is assigned, thereby connecting the connect elements 6 to each other via the connection device 8. As a result, the storage unit cells 4 are electrically connected to each other via the connection device 8, for example, the storage unit cells 4 are connected in series or in parallel with each other. As a result, the storage unit cells 4 form, for example, a composite unit, which is formed as a P composite unit, or is also called a P composite unit, particularly when the storage unit cells 4 are connected in parallel with each other.
[0033] For example, the storage housing 2 comprises at least two or exactly two housing portions, which are formed separately from each other and can be connected to each other. One of the housing portions is visible in Figure 1 and is indicated by reference numeral 10. For example, housing portion 10 is the upper housing portion, also called the upper part, and the other housing portions, not shown in each figure, are connected to the upper housing portion downward in the vehicle height direction when the electrical energy storage unit 1 is installed.
[0034] To enable particularly advantageous and reliable operation of the electrical energy storage unit 1, a foam material 11, formed, for example, as polyurethane foam, is placed in the containment space 3. The storage unit cells 4, in particular the cell housings 5, are bonded to each other, and in particular, adhered to each other, using the foam material 11. For this purpose, for example, the foam material 11 is in particular direct contact with each jacket surface 12 on the outer circumference of each cell housing 5. In the embodiments shown in each figure, each storage unit cell 4 is formed as a circular cell that is cylindrical on its outer circumference. This means that each jacket surface 12 on its outer circumference is cylindrical on its outer circumference, in particular at least in a large portion and in a large portion of its outer circumference. Alternatively, each storage unit cell 4, in particular each cell housing 5, can be configured to be bonded to the storage unit housing 2, and in particular adhered, using the foam material 11. In a method for manufacturing the energy storage unit 1, for example, the foam material 11 is introduced into the containment space 3, in particular in a liquid state. The foam material 11 can foam while it is being introduced into the containment space 3 and / or after it is introduced, thereby enabling the cell housings 5 to be connected to each other and / or enabling each cell housing 5 to be connected to the storage housing 2.
[0035] Each connection element 9 is equipped with a fuse 13. For example, if one of the storage cells 4 fails, and the failure is, for example, a thermal event in the storage cell 4, or includes a thermal event, a large current, also called a fault current, will flow through the connection element 9 assigned to the connect element 6 of the storage cell 4, and therefore through the fuse 13 of the connection element 9 assigned to the connect element 6 of the faulty storage cell 4, causing the fuse 13 to melt and thus break, i.e., activate. This isolates the storage cell 4 from the other remaining, unfaulty storage cells 4, particularly electrically or galvanically, so that, for example, it is possible to prevent the thermal event from entering and, consequently, from the storage cell 4 to the other remaining, unfaulty storage cells 4.
[0036] Each fuse 13 is assigned a defining element 14 that is formed separately from the storage cell 4, the connection device 8, and the storage housing 2, so that each storage cell 4 can be isolated from the remaining storage cells 4 if the failure of the storage cell 4 is a medium resistance failure or includes a medium resistance failure, for example, if the medium resistance failure leads to a thermal event or includes a thermal event. The defining element 14 is a component of a member, or is formed by a member also called an assembly, indicated by reference numeral 15 in Figure 1. For example, the defining elements 14 are formed separately from each other and connected to each other so that the defining unit 14 forms an assembly 15, or the defining elements 14 are formed integrally with each other and therefore formed by a single member so that the defining elements 14 form an assembly 15. For example, the member 15 is a plate also called a load distribution plate.
[0037] Each volume V is specifically directly defined by each defining element 14 assigned to each fuse 13, and each volume V is here specifically directly defined by each defining element and by the storage housing 2, particularly by the housing portion 10, particularly by the inner circumferential jacket surface 16 of the housing portion 10. Since each defining element 14 is assigned to each fuse 13, the volume V defined by each defining element 14 is assigned to each fuse 13. Figure 1 shows that each fuse 13 is completely covered by the volume V assigned to each fuse 13 on each side S2, also called the fuse side, opposite to each cell housing 5, and particularly in the extension direction toward the storage housing 2, particularly toward the housing portion 10 (arrow 7), and each volume V does not have foam material 11. As a result, each fuse 13 is thermally separated or insulated, particularly advantageously by the foam material 11 and the storage housing 2, particularly toward the housing portion 10, so that excessive heat dissipation from each fuse 13 can be prevented. Furthermore, Figure 1 shows that particularly advantageous heat insulation can be achieved because each connect element 6 is covered at least partially, at least mostly, and therefore at least half or more, or completely by each volume V on each side S3, also called the connect side or element side, which is opposite to each cell housing 5 and facing each fuse 13, and in the extension direction toward the storage housing 2, especially toward the housing 10. For example, each volume V is filled entirely with air.
[0038] It can be seen that each defining element 14 is a protruding part, also called a convex or projection, that projects toward each fuse 13, which is specifically assigned in the opposite direction to the extension direction indicated by the arrow 16, from the housing portion 10 and the partial range TB of member 15 that is particularly directly connected to each defining element 14. In this case, the partial range TB is particularly directly coupled to the housing portion 10 and is particularly bonded, thereby particularly advantageously coupling member 15 or each defining element 14 to the housing portion 10. In particular, it can be seen from Figure 1 that each defining element 14 is particularly directly bonded to the housing portion 10 using the adhesive 17, as each partial range TB is particularly directly bonded to the housing portion 10 using the adhesive 17. Each adhesive joint between the housing portion 10 and each defining element 14 is formed by the adhesive 17, and the adhesive joint is tight with respect to the foam material so that when the foam material is introduced into the containment space 3, the foam material 11 does not penetrate between the housing portion 10 and each defining element 14 and enter the volume V.
[0039] Each defining element 14 has a defining side, also called a defining side, which faces each fuse 13, each connecting element 9, and each connecting element 6. This side is directly bonded to the connecting element 9 and, in this case, the fuse 13, using a second adhesive 18. Preferably, the adhesive 18 is the same adhesive as adhesive 17. It can be seen that no other members are placed between the connecting element 9 and the connecting element 6, and no other members are placed between the side S4 and the connecting element 9 or fuse 13 except for the adhesive 18. This makes it possible to guarantee particularly advantageous heat insulation.
[0040] For example, each storage cell 4 comprises a second connect element, which is, for example, a cell housing 5. For example, each second connect element forms an electrical cathode. Each second connect element is assigned a second connecting element 19, which is electrically and preferably mechanically connected to each second connect element. [Explanation of symbols]
[0041] 1. Electrical energy storage unit 2 Storage housing 3. Containment space 4 Storage Cells 5 Cell Housing 6 Connect Elements 7 Arrows 8. Connection device 9. Connection elements 10 Housing section 11 Foam material 12 Outer jacket surface 13 fuses 14 Definitive Elements 15 components 16 Arrows 17 Adhesives 18 Adhesives 19 Connection elements S1 side S2 side S3 side S4 side TB partial range V Volume
Claims
1. An electrical energy storage unit (1) for a motorized vehicle having a storage unit housing (2) defining a storage space (3) and a plurality of storage unit cells (4) arranged in the storage space (3) and formed for storing electrical energy, wherein each storage unit cell comprises one cell housing (5) and at least one connect element (6), and each connect element is assigned to a connect element (9) of a connecting device (8) arranged in the storage space (3), and each connect element (9) assigned to each connect element (6) is equipped with a fuse (13), and each connect element (9) is electrically connected to the connect element (6) to which it is assigned, thereby the connect elements (6) are electrically connected to each other via the connecting device (8), in the electrical energy storage unit, - The storage space (3) is provided with foam material (11) that connects the storage cells (4) to each other and / or to the storage housing (2), - Each fuse (13) of each connecting element (9) assigned to each connect element (6) is assigned a defining element (14) located in the housing space (3), each volume (V) is defined by the defining element, each fuse (13) is covered by the respective volume on each side (S2) opposite to the respective cell housing (5), and each volume (V) does not contain the foam material (11). An electrical energy storage unit (1) characterized by the following.
2. The electrical energy storage unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each volume (V) is filled with a medium having a small thermal conductivity and / or small heat capacity compared to the foam material (11).
3. The electrical energy storage unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the aforementioned media is a gas.
4. The electrical energy storage unit (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the gas is air.
5. The electrical energy storage unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the defining element (14) is formed separately from the storage unit housing (2) and is coupled to the storage unit housing (2).
6. The electrical energy storage unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the defining elements (14) are coupled to each other or formed integrally with each other.
7. The electrical energy storage unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the connect elements (6) to which the connecting element (9) equipped with each of the fuses (13) is assigned is at least partially covered by each of the volumes (V) on the side (S3) of each of the connect elements (9) that is assigned to each of the connect elements (6) opposite to each of the cell housings (5) that faces each of the fuses (13).
8. The electrical energy storage unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each side (S4) of each defining element (14) assigned to each fuse (13) of each connecting element (9), facing the connecting element (9), is directly coupled to each connecting element (9), and in particular, is bonded.
9. The electrical energy storage unit (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that each side (S4) of each defining element (14) is directly bonded to each connecting element (9) using an adhesive (18) different from the foaming material (11).
10. A motorized vehicle having at least one electrical energy storage unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.