Battery Module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module (1), comprising a module housing (2) having a receiving opening (6) for a battery single cell (3) between two opposing sides, and the battery single cell (3) mounted in the receiving opening (6), with a region (9) through which a coolant can flow being arranged around the receiving opening (6) of the module housing (2). The present invention is characterized in that a plate (4) is arranged on one side of the module housing (2), the plate (4) having a hole (5) corresponding to the size of the battery single cell (3), the receiving opening (6) having a cross section at least partially larger than the hole (5), and the battery single cell (3) has a stopper (7) for contact with the tapered portion of the receiving opening (6) and / or with the plate (4).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a battery module with a module housing with receiving openings for single battery cells, of the type as precisely defined in the preamble of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] Battery modules with a module housing for accommodating battery single cells are known from the prior art. For example, from DE 10 200 03 133 A1 one can refer to a battery which essentially consists of a battery housing or module housing which is fitted with a receiving opening between two opposite faces, into which a battery single cell, here a cylindrical battery single cell, can be inserted. The battery single cell is suitably cooled in the module housing, which is also called jacket cooling. [Patent Document 1] DE10223782B4

[0003] In contrast, Patent Document 2 discloses a structure in which individual single cells are placed on a cooling plate without a holder and cooled by the cooling plate. The problem with this type of structure is that the cooling in the area of ​​each single battery cell is only on one side, resulting in relatively non-uniform cooling. When charging the single battery cells, particularly when charging at high speed, relatively high heat losses occur in the single battery cells during such high speed charging. If the single battery cells are not cooled uniformly and equally, this can promote early deterioration of the single cells and adversely affect the performance of the single cells. [Patent Document 2] CN108281588A

[0004] Finally, US Pat. No. 5,399,633 further describes a battery in which single battery cells are contacted and held via plates, allowing a coolant to circulate through the empty space underneath the plates. [Patent Document 3] DE102016219302A1

[0005] In all three constructions, maintaining the battery high against the plate during installation is extremely difficult, so that large tolerances are either accepted or avoided at great expense. In practice, however, tolerances in this range often have to be classified as critical, since basic dimensions, for example in vehicle bodies, required for conditioning zones or as exhaust channels for gases escaping in case of cell failure, require defined minimum cross-sectional areas. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to create an improved battery module with a module housing and single battery cells, which on the one hand ensures extremely homogeneous cooling of the single battery cells and on the other hand offers the possibility of a simple and efficient construction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a battery module having the features of claim 1, and here in particular the features recited in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the battery module according to the invention are evident from the dependent claims which depend thereon.

[0008] In the battery module according to the invention, the module housing has between two opposite side surfaces receiving openings for the battery single cells, and areas through which a coolant flows are arranged around the receiving openings of the module housing, so that at least partially jacket cooling of the battery single cells can be performed. According to the invention, a plate, which can form, for example, a base plate, is arranged on one side of the module housing. This base plate has holes corresponding to the dimensions of the battery single cells, whereas the receiving openings have a cross section at least partially larger than the holes, so that the battery single cells can be loosely inserted into these receiving openings. The battery single cells themselves then have stops for contact with the tapered portion of the receiving openings and / or with the plate. This allows the single cells to be inserted very simply and efficiently into the respective receiving openings, the single cells being pushed through the receiving openings and the holes in the plate, e.g. the base plate, until the stops come into contact with the defined areas. Thus, a precise positioning of the battery single cells relative to the module housing or plate can always be achieved without laborious measures. If the plate is configured, for example, as a base plate, the battery single cells protrude from the holes in the plate only to a degree that can be set by the stoppers, so that the cross-section can be easily and accurately maintained in the desired shape in the space below the plate.

[0009] According to a very advantageous development of the battery module according to the invention, the stopper is formed by a self-adhesive material, in particular during the production of the battery single cells, and is glued directly to the outside of the battery single cells, so that during installation the battery single cells can be inserted into the module housing up to the glued stopper. A very advantageous development here provides that the stopper is configured in the form of an adhesive tape, in particular a foamed adhesive tape.

[0010] In an alternative embodiment of the electrical energy accumulator, the stopper of the battery single cell can be omitted and the exact positioning with respect to the base plate of the housing or jacket cooling is achieved by supporting the battery single cell on a height-adjustable support plate, which in this case serves as a stopper, at the bottom of the plate. After the battery single cell has been fixed to the cooling / holding device by means of glue or thermally conductive glue, the support plate can be removed again.

[0011] According to a very advantageous development of the battery module according to the invention, the plate itself can be configured as a cooling plate, in particular as a cooling base plate, i.e. cooling plates as are basically known from the conventional construction of batteries or battery modules can also be used here. In addition to the jacket cooling, the use of end plate cooling can also provide an even more homogeneous temperature regulation of the individual battery cells, which significantly improves the fast charging performance of this type of battery module.

[0012] According to a very advantageous development of the battery module according to the invention, the receiving opening itself can be configured to taper conically in the direction of the plate, so that the battery single cells can be inserted into the receiving opening in a particularly simple and efficient manner. As an alternative to this, the receiving opening can also have a constant cross section, which is preferably larger than the respective corresponding hole over the entire height, so that the stop against the plate fits into the area of ​​the receiving opening.

[0013] The single battery cells, regardless of whether they are conical or formed with a constant cross section, can be fixed in the receiving openings by a thermally conductive adhesive which, on the one hand, securely fixes the single battery cells in place and, on the other hand, by virtue of its thermally conductive properties, allows jacket cooling of the single battery cells over the area in the module housing through which a coolant can flow.

[0014] In a further highly advantageous embodiment of the battery module according to the invention, it can then also be provided that the battery single cells are cast with a casting compound on the side of the module housing opposite the plate. Such casting compounds are commonly used in the field of electronics and provide a more reliable fastening on the one hand and electrical insulation of the structure on the other hand. The casting compound can, for example, be closed with the battery cover and cast directly therewith. Electronic circuits can also be arranged and cast in together in the casting compound area.

[0015] In a further highly advantageous embodiment of the battery module according to the invention, if a casting compound is used, it is provided that this comprises or consists of a latent heat storage material. The casting compound thus forms a latent heat storage and is able to absorb heat very well up to a certain temperature and to keep it there for a relatively long time. This provides for a further improvement of the cooling and thus the temperature homogenization, in particular when the single battery cells are strongly heated, for example during a fast charging process. The improved temperature homogenization, i.e. the improved temperature distribution, in the single battery cells allows a relatively high charging performance, which can significantly shorten the time to full charge of the battery.

[0016] In principle, the inventive structure of the battery module in one or more described embodiments is suitable for all kinds of battery single cells. That is, the battery single cells may be, for example, prismatic battery single cells in foil bags, so-called pouch cells or prismatic battery single cells in hard cases. Preferably, however, the battery single cells in the battery module according to the invention are provided in accordance with a very advantageous development thereof to have a cylindrical shape. Such cylindrical cells can be arranged simply and efficiently in a battery module of this kind. Both cylindrical and / or conical receiving openings and holes can be produced simply, so that the structure of the battery module can be realized at very low cost. The module housing itself can be produced in particular as an injection-molded part from a plastic material, which material can have a high thermal conductivity by means of corresponding additives. The plate or base plate can preferably be produced from a metallic material.

[0017] Further advantageous embodiments of the battery module according to the invention are evident from two exemplary embodiments shown in greater detail below with the aid of the figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a battery module according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 in an alternative embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The part of a battery module 1 shown in Fig. 1 shows a module housing 2 in which two battery single cells 3 are suitably mounted. The module housing 2 has, here on its underside, a plate or base plate, referenced 4, which accommodates the battery single cells 3 in holes 5 corresponding to their shape. Furthermore, there are accommodation openings 6 in the module housing 2. These accommodation openings 6 have a larger cross section than the holes 5 and, in the case of cylindrical battery single cells 3, a larger diameter. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the accommodation openings 6 are conically shaped, so that their cross section gradually decreases in the direction of the plate 5.

[0020] The single battery cells 3 are fitted with stoppers 7 in the form of foam tape, which act as stoppers 7 so that the single battery cells can only be pushed into the conical receiving openings 6 to a set depth. The position of the single battery cells 3 inside the module housing 2 and ultimately inside the battery module 1 is therefore pre-fixed by these stoppers 7 with respect to their mounting height. In this case, in FIG. 1, there is a cavity below the single battery cells 3, which is used for degassing, for example, in case of thermal runaway of one or more single battery cells 3 and gas is released. Due to the mounting height of the single battery cells 3, which is determined by the stoppers 7, a cross section through which the flow can pass in this space can always be ensured.

[0021] When the single battery cells 3 are inserted into the receiving openings 5, these are glued to the module housing 2 with a thermally conductive adhesive 8. This makes it possible to cool the single battery cells in the jacket area via an area 9 of the module housing through which a coolant can flow. This jacket cooling, which supplements the cooling by the base plate 4, allows for a very homogeneous temperature regulation of the single battery cells 3, even in the case of high heat input, which occurs, for example, during fast charging.

[0022] At the top of the module housing 2 there is a casting compound 10, which in the illustrated embodiment is shown with irregular cross-hatched lines. After the end of the battery has been cast with it, a cover plate 11 is attached. The casting compound 10 itself can then be configured as a latent heat accumulator or can have a latent heat storage material. The casting compound 10 thus additionally serves for homogeneous temperature regulation of the battery module 1. The already mentioned cavity at the bottom of the plate 4 is closed by a further plate-shaped cover, which can be, for example, the housing underside of the battery module 1. In this case, if the battery is mounted in the bottom area of ​​the vehicle, this plate-shaped cover 12 can simultaneously be an underguard of the vehicle.

[0023] This highly efficient construction of the battery module 1 can be further modified. Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment, in which the receiving opening 6 is not conical, but is likewise cylindrical, for example in the case of cylindrical battery single cells 3. The stopper 7 therefore contacts the base plate 4 directly, and not the module housing 2, at a defined location of the receiving opening 6. Furthermore, here too the gap between the module housing 2 and the battery single cells 3 in the region of the receiving opening 6 is filled with a thermally conductive adhesive 8, and the construction is closed by a casting compound 10, which is preferably formed as a latent heat accumulator.

[0024] Otherwise, what has already been described for the embodiment according to figure 1 also applies to the embodiment according to figure 2, in which case identical components are provided with the same reference numerals.

Claims

1. A battery module (1) comprising: a module housing (2) having an accommodating opening (6) for a single battery cell (3) between two opposing sides; and a single battery cell (3) mounted in the accommodating opening (6), wherein a region (9) through which a coolant can flow is arranged around the accommodating opening (6) of the module housing (2). The battery module (1), characterized in that a plate (4) is arranged on one side of the module housing (2), the plate (4) has a hole (5) corresponding to the dimensions of the battery single cell (3), the accommodating opening (6) has a cross-section at least partially larger than the hole (5), and the battery single cell (3) has a stopper (7) for contact with the tapered portion of the accommodating opening (6) and / or with the plate (4).

2. 2. The battery module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stopper (7) is made of a self-adhesive material.

3. 3. The battery module (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the self-adhesive material is configured as an adhesive tape, in particular as a foamed adhesive tape.

4. 4. Battery module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (4) is configured as a cooling plate (4), in particular as a cooling base plate (4).

5. 4. The battery module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving opening (6) tapers conically in the direction of the plate (4).

6. 4. The battery module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving opening (6) has a constant cross section.

7. The battery module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the battery single cells (3) are fixed in the receiving openings (6) by means of a thermally conductive adhesive (8).

8. The battery module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the battery single cells (3) are cast in a side of the module housing (2) opposite the plate (4) with a casting compound (10).

9. The battery module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the battery single cells (3) have a cylindrical shape.

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