Automotive battery modules

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automotive battery module (3) including a row of battery cells (11) arranged parallel to one another and aligned along a longitudinal axis X, the battery cells (11) being spaced apart from one another such that adjacent battery cells (11) define between them a gap for the passage of a thermal regulating fluid of the battery cells (11), and a gripping device (15) including a base (17), a plurality of spacers (19) and a holding means (21), wherein each spacer (19) includes a mounting foot (23) and a separator plate (25) formed integrally with the mounting foot (23), the separator plate (25) being arranged in the gap located between two adjacent battery cells and configured to separate a first path (P1) of the thermal regulating fluid from a second path (P2) of the thermal regulating fluid. The invention also relates to a system (1) comprising such a battery module (3) and a housing (5), the housing containing the battery module (3) and a thermal regulating fluid circulating in a closed circuit within the housing (5).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module for an automobile, a system including such a battery module, and an automobile including such a system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, automotive battery modules having battery cell strings are already known in the prior art of documents such as Patent No. 5672000, Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 113130962, Chinese Utility Model Publication No. 205609622, European Patent Application Publication No. 1701404, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-154401.

[0003] To ensure optimal operation, the battery cells must be temperature regulated. To achieve this, they are spaced apart, a distance that is maintained by spacers. These spacers comprise a mounting section designed to receive the battery and a partition in the form of a separator plate. The separator plate allows an air escape path to be formed between the two battery cells.

[0004] However, the manufacture and assembly of this battery module is relatively complicated, especially since each battery cell must be placed within a spacer, which also takes up a relatively large amount of space and makes it difficult to handle when installing the battery module. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5672000 [Patent Document 2] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 113130962 [Patent Document 3] China Utility Model Publication No. 205609622 [Patent Document 4] European Patent Application Publication No. 1701404 [Patent Document 5] Patent Publication No. 2014-154401 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] A particular object of the present invention is to simplify the assembly of battery modules. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To this end, the present invention provides an automotive battery module including a row of battery cells arranged parallel to one another and aligned along a longitudinal axis X, the battery cells being spaced apart from one another so that adjacent battery cells define a gap between them for passage of a thermal regulating fluid through the battery cells, and a gripping device including a base, a plurality of spacers, and holding means, wherein each spacer includes a mounting leg and a separator plate integrally formed with the mounting leg, the separator plate being disposed within the gap located between two adjacent battery cells and configured to separate a first path of the thermal regulating fluid from a second path of the thermal regulating fluid, the mounting legs being slidably mounted to the base in at least one row parallel to the X axis, thereby The present invention relates to a battery module in which a sliding connection is formed between the mounting legs and the base, the holding means includes a first axial stopper arranged at a first axial end of the row of battery cells and a second axial stopper arranged at a second axial end of the row of battery cells, the holding means includes axial fastening means that axially compresses the second axial stopper against the battery cell located at the second axial end of the row of battery cells, whereby the second axial stopper compresses the row of battery cells and a separator plate arranged therebetween against the first axial stopper, the mounting legs have axial play therebetween, and the row of battery cells and the separator plate arranged therebetween are maintained in a firmly fastened state.

[0008] In this way, assembly is simplified because the gripping device includes spacers that are axially slidably attached. During axial tightening, the spacers can slide axially to avoid any play between each spacer and the adjacent battery cells. By "maintained in a tightly tightened state," it should be understood that there is no axial play between the separator plates and the battery cells. In other words, in the assembled battery module, the thermal regulating fluid does not pass between the separator plates and the battery cells.

[0009] According to other optional features of the battery module, selected alone or in combination, the second axial stopper is slidably mounted on the base parallel to the X-axis, thus simplifying the mounting and positioning of the second axial stopper.

[0010] The base includes a translation guide rail, and the mounting foot is slidably mounted on the translation guide rail. In this manner, mounting and positioning of the spacer is simplified.

[0011] The second axial stop includes a mounting foot that is slidably mounted on the translation guide rail. In this way, the second axial stop can be easily mounted and positioned using the translation guide rail already used to mount and position the spacer.

[0012] The axial fastening means includes a first axial compression member fixed to the base and compressing the second axial stopper against the battery cell located at the second axial end of the battery cell row, in this way providing a particularly simple axial compression effect. The axial fastening means includes a second axial compression member that compresses the second axial stopper against the battery cell located at the second axial end of the battery cell row, and the second axial compression member and each spacer are connected to each other, and the connection between the second axial compression member and each spacer is free to translate parallel to the X-axis. In this way, the effect of axial compression is obtained, and the positioning of the spacers during assembly is easily ensured.

[0013] Each spacer includes a head integrally formed with the separator plate, the head being opposite the mounting leg and connecting to the second axial compression member, thus easily ensuring that the spacers maintain the battery cells in place during assembly. The head of each spacer includes a guide hole oriented parallel to the X-axis, and the second axial compression member passes through the guide hole of each spacer. In this way, it is particularly easy to ensure that the spacers maintain the battery cells in place during assembly.

[0014] The second axial compression member includes an axial retention element on the partition wall of the battery cell facing the first axial stop, in this way the axial compression effect is particularly easily achieved and the rigidity of the module is improved. The second axial compression element is held axially directly against the first axial stop, in this way the effect of axial compression is achieved particularly simply and the stiffness of the module is improved.

[0015] The first axial stop is formed integrally with the base body, thus simplifying installation as the number of elements to assemble is reduced.

[0016] The second axial stop and the spacer are identical, and in this way, there is no need to design a specific piece specifically to form the second axial stop, which simplifies design and installation and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0017] The first axial compression member is supported against the mounting leg of the second axial stopper, thus allowing for axial compressive stress to be applied without inhibiting axial thermal expansion of the battery cell.

[0018] Each spacer is disposed within the separator plate at an end opposite the mounting leg and includes a thermal conditioning fluid passageway that allows the passage of thermal conditioning fluid between the first and second paths. In this manner, the presence of such passageway optimizes the outflow of thermal conditioning fluid between the first and second paths to limit charge loss. Preferably, the thermal conditioning fluid passageway is a thermal conditioning fluid through-hole.

[0019] The mounting legs include complementary shapes at axial ends that define axial play therebetween and form a baffle therebetween for the thermal conditioning fluid. In this manner, leakage of the thermal conditioning fluid outside of the desired outlet path between the first and second paths is limited due to the presence of the baffle.

[0020] The baffle includes a longitudinal portion extending parallel to the X-axis. In this manner, such longitudinal portion not only ensures sliding movement of the spacers relative to one another, but also makes it possible to ensure that play created between the mounting legs upon assembly with the battery cells does not increase the minimum passage cross-section of the baffle through which the thermal conditioning fluid passes beyond a threshold predefined by the longitudinal portion. Thus, leakage of the thermal conditioning fluid outside the desired outflow path between the first and second paths is limited.

[0021] The base includes at least one heat conditioning fluid passage hole onto which a fan is mounted, thus making mounting of one or more fans simple and economical.

[0022] The substrate is made of plastic, preferably a thermoplastic material, more preferably polypropylene, so that the substrate is easy and cheap to manufacture. The spacers are made of plastic, preferably a thermoplastic material, more preferably polypropylene or thermoplastic polyurethane, so that the spacers are easy and cheap to manufacture.

[0023] The thermal conditioning fluid is a gas, preferably the thermal conditioning fluid is air, so that in use the battery module is not weighted down by the thermal conditioning fluid as would be the case with a liquid thermal conditioning fluid, which makes it possible to reduce the weight of the vehicle and therefore its consumption.

[0024] The present invention is also directed to a system comprising a battery module as defined above and a housing, the housing containing the battery module, and a thermal conditioning fluid circulating in the housing in a closed circuit. In this way, the circuit of the thermal conditioning fluid is closed, preventing external elements, such as dust or moisture, from entering the thermal conditioning fluid circuit, which increases the service life of the system.

[0025] According to other optional features of the system, selected alone or in combination, the housing is impermeable to the thermal conditioning fluid, thus avoiding leakage of the thermal conditioning fluid outside the housing. The housing is impermeable to moisture and dust, for example, to air. In this way, the efficiency of the thermal regulation is maintained over time, especially since the heat exchange between the thermal regulation fluid and the battery cells is not disturbed by dust or condensed water, or even by the accumulation of frost resulting from moisture. This increases the service life of the system, since the inflow of dust or moisture into the housing is avoided. The thermal conditioning fluid circulates along the outlet path through the fan, the heat exchanger, the first path, and the second path, thereby optimizing the outlet path.

[0026] The invention finally concerns a motor vehicle including a system as defined above.

[0027] The invention will be better understood on reading the description that follows, given purely by way of example and explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a system including a battery module according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a battery module according to a first modified example of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a battery module according to a first modified example of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of a battery module according to a first modified example of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a battery module according to a first modified example of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 5, showing a variant of the implementation of the slidable mounting of the mounting legs on the translation guide rail. [Figure 7] 1. FIG. 4 is a right side view of a portion of a battery module according to a first modified example of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of a battery module according to a second modified example of the embodiment shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In all figures, the same reference numbers refer to the same elements.

[0030] In this detailed description, the following implementations are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, that does not mean that the features apply to only one embodiment. Single features of various embodiments may be combined and / or interchanged to provide other implementations.

[0031] 1 shows a schematic representation of a system 1 including an automotive battery module 3 and a housing 5. The system 1 is thus configured to be mounted in an automobile (not shown).

[0032] The housing 5 contains the battery module 3, and a thermal conditioning fluid F circulates in a closed circuit within the housing 5. The housing 5 is impermeable to the thermal conditioning fluid F, which in this embodiment is air. Furthermore, the housing 5 is impermeable to moisture and dust. The housing 5 also contains a fan 7 and a heat exchanger 9.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the battery module 3 includes a row of battery cells 11 arranged parallel to one another and aligned along a longitudinal axis X. The battery cells 11 are spaced apart from one another as shown in Figure 4, such that adjacent battery cells 11 define spaces 13 between them for passage of a thermal regulating fluid F through the battery cells 11. In Figure 2, only some of the battery cells 11 are shown to facilitate understanding of the structure of the battery module 3. In Figures 3, 5, and 7, none of the battery cells 11 are shown to facilitate understanding of the structure of the battery module 3.

[0034] The battery module 3 includes a base 17, a plurality of spacers 19, and a holding means 21, and also includes a gripping device 15, which is particularly shown in FIG. 3. It should be understood that in the assembled battery module 3, each spacer 19 is disposed between two battery cells 11. Thus, in this embodiment, the battery module 3 includes 12 battery cells 11. However, this number will vary according to the arrangement of the battery cells 11 and their electrical configuration, in series and / or parallel. The battery module 3 is configured to provide an output voltage of 48 V in this embodiment.

[0035] In this embodiment, the base 17 is made of plastic, preferably a thermoplastic material, more preferably polypropylene. The base 17 also includes at least one passage hole 17p for the thermal conditioning fluid F, onto which the fan 7 is mounted. In this embodiment, the base includes six passage holes 17p, and the fan 7 includes an axial ventilation sub-element for each passage hole 17p, thus including six axial ventilation sub-elements.

[0036] Moreover, in this embodiment, the spacer 19 is made of plastic, preferably a thermoplastic material, more preferably polypropylene or thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0037] Each spacer 19 includes a mounting leg 23 and a separation plate 25 formed integrally with the mounting leg 23, the separation plate 25 being positioned within the gap 13 located between two adjacent battery cells 11 and configured to separate a first path P1 of the thermal regulating fluid F from a second path P2 of the thermal regulating fluid F.

[0038] Thus, in this embodiment and as depicted in FIG. 1, the thermal conditioning fluid F circulates in a closed circuit along an outlet path passing through the fan 7, the heat exchanger 9, the first path P1, and the second path P2.

[0039] Each spacer 19 also includes a passage for thermal conditioning fluid F, in this embodiment, a passage hole 26 for thermal conditioning fluid F, located in the separation plate 25 at the end opposite the mounting leg 23, and allowing the passage of thermal conditioning fluid F between the first path P1 and the second path P2.

[0040] The mounting legs 23 are slidably mounted on the base 17 in at least one row parallel to the X-axis, thus forming a sliding connection therebetween. More precisely, in this embodiment and as depicted in FIG. 5 , the base 17 includes a translation guide rail 27, on which the mounting legs 23 are slidably mounted. In this embodiment, the slidable mounting of the mounting legs 23 to the translation guide rail 27 is achieved by threading the mounting legs 23 through the translation guide rail 27 along a direction parallel to the X-axis. In a variant of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6 , the slidable mounting of the mounting legs 23 to the translation guide rail 27 is achieved by straddling the mounting legs 23 relative to the translation guide rail 27 along a direction perpendicular to the X-axis.

[0041] 4, each spacer 19 further includes a head 29 integrally formed with the separator plate 25, the head 29 being opposite the mounting leg 23. In this embodiment, the head 29 includes a guide hole 30 oriented parallel to the X-axis.

[0042] The holding means 21 includes a first axial stopper 31 disposed at a first axial end of the row of battery cells 11, and a second axial stopper 32 disposed at a second axial end of the row of battery cells 11. In this embodiment, the first axial stopper 31 is formed integrally with the base body 17 and has the shape of a plate disposed parallel to the spacer 19.

[0043] The holding means 21 also includes axial clamping means 33, which axially compresses the second axial stopper 32 against the battery cell 11 located at the second axial end of the row of battery cells 11, and the second axial stopper 32 thus compresses the row of battery cells 11 and the separator plate 25 disposed therebetween against the first axial stopper 31, with the mounting legs 23 having axial play j therebetween, so that the row of battery cells 11 and the separator plate 25 disposed therebetween are maintained in a firmly clamped state.

[0044] 3 and 5, the second axial stop 32 and the spacer 19 are identical. Thus, the second axial stop 32 is slidably mounted to the base 17 parallel to the X-axis, and the second axial stop 32 includes a mounting foot 23 that is slidably mounted to the translation guide rail 27.

[0045] The mounting legs 23 include complementary shapes at their axial ends that define axial play j therebetween and form a baffle 35 therebetween for the thermal conditioning fluid F. As depicted in Figure 7, the baffle 35 includes a longitudinal portion 37 that extends parallel to the X-axis. The longitudinal portion 37 thus defines a passage for the thermal conditioning fluid F, which passage portion is predefined and is not affected by the sliding of the spacers 19 relative to one another.

[0046] The axial fastening means 33 includes a first axial compression member 41 that is fixed to the base 17 and compresses the second axial stopper 32 against the battery cell 11 located at the second axial end of the row of battery cells 11. In this embodiment, the first axial compression member 41 is supported on the mounting leg 23 of the second axial stopper 32. More precisely, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , the first axial compression member 41 is formed by a screw 41 a including a washer 41 b that is supported on the mounting leg 23 of the second axial stopper 32.

[0047] The axial fastening means 33 also includes a second axial compression member 42 that compresses the second axial stopper 32 against the battery cell 11 located at the second axial end of the row of battery cells 11. The second axial compression member 42 and each spacer 19 are connected to each other, and the connection therebetween is translatable parallel to the X-axis. More precisely, in this embodiment, the head 29 of each spacer 19 is connected to the second axial compression member 42, and the second axial compression member 42 passes through the guide hole 30 of each spacer 19. In this embodiment, the second axial compression member 42 includes an axial retention element 43 on the partition wall of the battery cell 11 facing the first axial stopper 31. Alternatively, according to a variant not shown, the second axial compression member is axially retained directly against the first axial stopper. In the aforementioned variant, the second axial compression member is a threaded rod.

[0048] FIG. 8 shows details of an example of a battery module 3′ according to a second modification. To facilitate understanding of the structure of the battery module 3′, FIG. 8 does not show any battery cells 11. This battery module 3′ according to the second modification is distinguished from the battery module 3 according to the first modification described above by its first axial stopper 31′. Indeed, like the first axial stopper 31 according to the first modification, the first axial stopper 31′ according to the second modification has the shape of a plate that is integrally formed with the base 17 and arranged parallel to the spacer 19. However, the first axial stopper 31′ according to the second modification is distinguished from the first axial stopper 31 according to the first modification in that it includes a passage for the thermal regulating fluid F—in this embodiment, a passage hole 26′ for the thermal regulating fluid F that is arranged within the first axial stopper 31′ at the end opposite to the end connected to the base 17 and that allows the thermal regulating fluid F to pass between the first path P1 and the second path P2.

[0049] The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is in particular possible to reverse the direction of the thermal conditioning fluid F so that it circulates in a closed circuit along the outlet path passing through the heat exchanger 9, the fan 7, the second path P2 and the first path P1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 System 3, 3' battery module 5. Housing 7 Fan 9 Heat exchanger 11 Battery Cells 13 intervals 15 Gripping device 17 Base 17p passing hole 19 Spacer 21 Holding means 23 Mounting feet 25 Separation plate 26, 26' passing hole 27 Translation guide rail 29 heads 30 Guide hole 31, 31' First axial stopper 32 Second axial stopper 33 Axial fastening means 35 Baffle 37 Longitudinal section 41 first axial compression member 41a Bis 41b Washer 42 second axial compression member 43 Axial retention element P1 First Route P2 Second Route j Axial play

Claims

1. a row of battery cells (11) arranged parallel to one another and aligned along a longitudinal axis X, the battery cells (11) being spaced apart from one another such that adjacent battery cells (11) define a gap (13) between them for the passage of a thermal regulating fluid (F) through the battery cells (11); a gripping device (15) comprising a base (17), a plurality of spacers (19) and a holding means (21); A battery module (3) for an automobile, comprising: Each spacer (19) includes a mounting leg (23) and a separation plate (25) extending from the mounting leg (23) in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis and integrally formed with the mounting leg (23), the separation plate (25) being disposed within a gap (13) located between two adjacent battery cells (11) and separating a path of the thermal regulating fluid (F) passing through the gap (13) into a first path (P1) of the thermal regulating fluid (F) and a second path (P2) of the thermal regulating fluid (F); the mounting legs (23) are slidably mounted on the base (17) in at least one row parallel to the X-axis, thereby forming a sliding connection between the mounting legs (23) and the base (17); the holding means (21) includes a first axial stopper (31) disposed at a first axial end of the row of battery cells (11) and a second axial stopper (32) disposed at a second axial end of the row of battery cells (11); The battery module (3) is configured such that the holding means (21) includes axial clamping means (33), which axially compresses the second axial stopper (32) against the battery cell (11) located at the second axial end of the row of battery cells (11), whereby the second axial stopper (32) compresses the row of battery cells (11) and the separator plate (25) disposed therebetween against the first axial stopper (31), and the mounting legs (23) include axial play (j) therebetween, so that the row of battery cells (11) and the separator plate (25) disposed therebetween are maintained in a firmly clamped state.

2. 2. The battery module (3) according to claim 1, wherein the second axial stopper (32) is slidably attached to the base (17) parallel to the X-axis.

3. 3. The battery module (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (17) includes a translation guide rail (27), and the mounting legs (23) are slidably mounted on the translation guide rail (27).

4. 4. The battery module (3) according to claim 3, wherein the second axial stop (32) comprises the mounting leg (23) slidably mounted on the translation guide rail (27).

5. 3. The battery module (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the axial fastening means (33) includes a first axial compression member (41) fixed to the base (17) and compressing the second axial stopper (32) against the battery cell (11) located at the second axial end of the row of the battery cells (11).

6. 3. The battery module (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the axial fastening means (33) includes a second axial compression member (42) that compresses the second axial stopper (32) against the battery cell (11) located at the second axial end of the row of the battery cells (11), the second axial compression member (42) and each spacer (19) are connected to each other, and the connection between the second axial compression member (42) and each spacer (19) is translatable parallel to the X-axis.

7. 7. The battery module (3) according to claim 6, wherein each spacer (19) includes a head (29) formed integrally with the separator plate (25), the head (29) being located at an end opposite the mounting leg (23) in the extension direction of the separator plate (25) and connected to the second axial compression member (42).

8. 8. The battery module (3) of claim 7, wherein the head (29) of each spacer (19) includes a guide hole (30) oriented parallel to the X-axis, and the second axial compression member (42) passes through the guide hole (30) of each spacer (19).

9. 7. The battery module (3) according to claim 6, wherein the second axial compression member (42) includes an axial retaining element (43) on a partition wall of the battery cell (11) facing the first axial stopper (31), or is axially retained directly against the first axial stopper (31).

10. 3. The battery module (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first axial stop (31) is formed integrally with the base body (17).

11. 6. The battery module (3) according to claim 5, wherein the second axial stop (32) and the spacer (19) have the same shape.

12. 12. The battery module (3) according to claim 11, wherein the first axial compression member (41) is supported against the mounting leg (23) of the second axial stop (32).

13. 3. The battery module (3) of claim 1 or 2, wherein each spacer (19) includes a thermal regulating fluid (F) passage (26) disposed in the separator plate (25) at an end opposite the mounting leg (23), the thermal regulating fluid (F) passage (26) allowing passage of the thermal regulating fluid (F) between the first path (P1) and the second path (P2).

14. 3. The battery module (3) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting legs (23) include complementary shapes at their axial ends that form axial play (j) between them and that form baffles (35) for the thermal regulating fluid (F) therebetween.

15. 15. The battery module (3) of claim 14, wherein the baffle (35) includes a longitudinal portion (37) extending parallel to the X-axis.

16. 3. The battery module (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (17) comprises at least one passage hole (17p) for a heat-regulating fluid (F), on which a fan (7) is mounted.

17. The substrate (17) is made of plastic, and The spacer (19) is made of plastic. A battery module (3) according to claim 1 or 2.

18. 3. The battery module (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thermal regulating fluid (F) is a gas.

19. 3. A system (1) comprising a battery module (3) according to claim 1 or 2 and a housing (5), wherein the housing contains the battery module (3) and the thermal regulating fluid (F) circulates in a closed circuit within the housing (5).

20. 20. The system (1) according to claim 19, wherein the thermal conditioning fluid (F) circulates along an outlet path passing through a fan (7), a heat exchanger (9), the first path (P1), and the second path (P2).

21. A motor vehicle comprising a system (1) according to claim 19.

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