Traction battery assembly comprising round cells and an underride protection element, and motor vehicle comprising such a traction battery assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a traction battery assembly (100) for a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising: - a battery housing (110) having a bottom element (111), a plurality of cylindrical round cells (114) being arranged upright in the battery housing (110), and empty spaces (115) also being provided; - an underride protection element (120) that is arranged below the battery housing (110); - spacing elements (130) that are arranged between the underride protection element (120) and the battery housing (110) and support the underride protection element (120) against the bottom element (111), the support being provided below the empty spaces (115). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one such traction battery assembly (100).

Description

[0001] Traction battery arrangement with round cells and underrun protection element and motor vehicle with such a traction battery arrangement

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] The invention relates to a traction battery arrangement for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with such a traction battery arrangement.

[0004] DE 10 2021 1 19 109 A1 describes a traction battery arranged in the underbody area of ​​a motor vehicle. The traction battery has a housing in which several battery cells are arranged, in particular, cylindrical, round cells arranged vertically. Furthermore, actuators arranged between the battery cells are provided in the housing. If necessary (e.g., in the event of a so-called bollard event), these actuators bulge a base plate of the housing downwards away from the battery cells, thereby pushing the base plate away from the battery cells. This creates a deformation space in the housing between the battery cells and the base plate.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a traction battery arrangement with vertical round cells that is very well protected against damage on the underside.

[0006] This object is achieved with the traction battery arrangement according to the invention as defined in claim 1. The independent claim also extends the invention to a motor vehicle, preferably a battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV), which has at least one traction battery arrangement according to the invention, which is arranged in particular in the area of ​​the body floor or in the underbody area of ​​the motor vehicle. Advantageous developments and refinements of the invention arise analogously for both subject matters of the invention from the dependent claims, the following description of the invention (this expressly also includes features described optionally and by way of example), and the figures.

[0007] The traction battery arrangement for a motor vehicle according to the invention has the following components or parts:

[0008] - a battery housing or a battery box with a base element, wherein several cylindrical round cells are arranged upright in the battery housing and also (several) free spaces are present;

[0009] - an underrun protection element located below the battery housing;

[0010] - (several) spacing elements arranged between the underrun protection element and the battery housing and supporting the underrun protection element against the floor element (of the battery housing), the support (on the floor element) being below the free spaces or below free spaces.

[0011] The battery housing preferably has a base element, a side wall surrounding the base element, and a cover element. The base element and / or the cover element is preferably plate-shaped, wherein the base element can be designed as a closed or also as an open housing part, in particular one provided with recesses. The base element, the cover element, and / or the side wall are preferably made of plastic, in particular thermoplastic plastic, optionally also with fiber reinforcement. The base element and / or cover element is preferably produced as an injection-molded part (from injection-molding compound) or as a compression-molded part (from compression-molding compound). The battery housing is designed, in particular, as a sealed battery housing. Arranged inside or in the interior of the battery housing are a plurality of battery cells, which are designed as cylindrical round cells (hereinafter also referred to simply as round cells).The round cells are arranged vertically, meaning that their central or cylindrical axes are aligned vertically. The cylindrical battery cells or round cells can also be combined in a suitable manner to form at least one battery module or round cell pack, which essentially forms a single structural unit.

[0012] An underrun protection element, which can also be referred to as an underbody protection element, is arranged beneath the battery housing, or rather beneath its base element. The underrun protection element is preferably a flat, in particular plate-like, underrun protection element. The underrun protection element is preferably made of plastic, in particular thermoplastic plastic, optionally also with fiber reinforcement. The underrun protection element is preferably manufactured as an injection-molded part (from injection-molding compound) or as a compression-molded part (from compression-molding compound). The underrun protection element can also be formed from other materials, e.g., metal. The underrun protection element is preferably attached to the battery housing in a suitable manner.

[0013] Furthermore, a plurality of spacing elements are provided which are arranged between the underrun protection element and the battery housing, or rather its base element, and which, on the one hand, space the underrun protection element from the battery housing or base element and, on the other hand, support it against the battery housing or base element, in particular in the event of a collision or crash. The entirety of these spacing elements essentially forms a spacing and support structure. The spacing elements can form a regular or irregular support pattern. In addition to such a spacing and support structure, a fastening structure can be provided, via which the underrun protection element is fastened to the battery housing. Free spaces within the meaning of the invention are regions within the battery housing where or in which no round cell or round cells are located. Free spaces can be spaces between the cylindrical battery cells orRound cells, which are particularly determined by their cylindrical shape. Free spaces within the meaning of the invention can also be formed by omitting individual round cells or by leaving their positions provided in the battery housing free, i.e. not being occupied. Free spaces can also be located in the edge regions of battery modules or round cell packs. The free spaces can be empty, i.e. more or less filled with air. However, the free spaces can also be occupied, in particular with support elements (see below) and / or with a cooling device or cooling elements. The free spaces can, if appropriate in addition to the support and / or cooling elements, also be filled, for example with a foam material (so-called foaming), for which a plastic foam, in particular a thermoplastic plastic foam, is preferably used.

[0014] On the one hand, the intended spacing of the underrun protection element creates a deformation space that is located underneath the battery housing rather than inside it, thus providing better protection for the battery or round cells. On the other hand, the intended support by means of several spacer elements efficiently transfers the forces acting upon the battery housing in the event of a crash, thereby reducing the free bending lengths (see below).

[0015] According to the invention, the support by means of the spacer elements takes place at or below, i.e. vertically below, the free spaces, i.e. at such points, preferably only at such points where there are no round cells above (in the vertical direction or in the vehicle's vertical direction). In particular, it is provided that the support by means of the spacer elements takes place at least, preferably only, at or below free spaces located between the round cells, whereby this can affect only some or all of these free spaces. The round cells are thus protected from a direct flow of force. In addition, the deformation space can be made lower, particularly due to the reduced free bending lengths, and installation space can thus be saved or used for other purposes.It is also preferably provided that the battery housing can deform without endangering the round cells, preferably deform elastically, and in particular can bend with a large radius in order to absorb the forces introduced by means of the spacing elements.

[0016] Preferably, support elements are arranged in the free spaces, in particular in the free spaces between the round cells, which preferably extend in the vertical direction or in the vertical direction of the vehicle from the floor element to the ceiling element of the battery housing and enable a direct flow of force or direct force dissipation. The support elements are arranged in some or all of the free spaces. Such support elements are preferably arranged at least in the free spaces below which spacing elements are provided. The support elements are preferably designed as profile elements that can be adapted to the contour of the free spaces. The support elements are preferably made of plastic, in particular thermoplastic plastic, optionally also with fiber reinforcement. The support elements can be designed as separate elements and connected in a suitable manner (e.g. by screwing, welding, gluing or clipping orThe support elements can also be integrally formed with the base and / or cover element of the battery housing and can, in particular, be manufactured in one piece with the base or cover element.

[0017] As already explained, free spaces can also be created by omitting individual round cells or by leaving their positions provided in the battery housing free, i.e. not occupied. Dummy-like bodies can then be placed in these free positions to act as support elements. The spacing elements can be designed as domes or pillars, which extend in particular in the vertical direction or in the vertical direction of the vehicle, which enable point support. The domes or pillars can be designed with a solid cross-section or a hollow cross-section. The spacing elements can also be designed as ribs or walls, which extend in particular in the vertical direction or in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0018] The domes and ribs or walls can also be combined with one another. In an emergency, both domes and ribs or walls allow for degassing of the battery housing or pressure relief via the deformation space between the base element of the battery housing and the underrun protection element, and also enable targeted flow control.

[0019] The spacer elements are preferably made of plastic, in particular thermoplastic, optionally also with fiber reinforcement. These are preferably manufactured as injection-molded parts (from injection-molding compound) or as compression-molded parts (from compression-molding compound). The same applies to a coherent structure formed as a single part (spacer and support structure).

[0020] The spacing elements can be designed as separate elements, optionally also as a coherent structure (spacing and support structure), and can be introduced during assembly of the traction battery arrangement. For this purpose, the spacing elements can be screwed, welded, glued, clipped, or locked, for example, to the base element of the battery housing and / or to the underrun protection element. The spacing elements can also be molded onto the underrun protection element and / or the base element (of the battery housing) and can, in particular, be manufactured in one piece with the underrun protection element or base element. The underrun protection element and / or the base element is preferably made of plastic, in particular thermoplastic, optionally also with fiber reinforcement.The underrun protection element and / or the floor element are preferably manufactured as injection-molded parts (made from injection-molding compound) or as compression-molded parts (made from compression-molding compound). Of course, the previously described design options can also be combined.

[0021] Within the scope of the invention, both the features described above and those explained below are applicable not only in the respective combination of features specified, but also in other combinations of features or in isolation. This also applies to the features shown in the figures.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below in a non-limiting manner with reference to the figures. The features shown in the figures and / or explained below can, even independently of specific combinations of features, be general features of the invention and can further develop the invention accordingly. Furthermore, the possible embodiments shown in the figures, in particular the possible embodiments shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, can be combined.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a traction battery arrangement according to the invention.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows schematically according to the section line (AA) indicated in Fig. 1 a possible design and arrangement for the spacing elements.

[0025] Fig. 3 shows, analogous to Fig. 2, another possible design and arrangement for the spacing elements.

[0026] The traction battery arrangement 100, shown only in part in Fig. 1, is arranged in the area of ​​the body floor 200 of a motor vehicle and comprises a battery housing 110 with a floor element 111 and a ceiling element 112, as well as an underrun protection element 120, which is fastened, in particular screwed, to the battery housing 110 via a fastening structure 121. Supports 113, to which the underrun protection element 120 can be screwed, are arranged inside the battery housing 110. Furthermore, a plurality of battery cells are accommodated inside the battery housing 110. These battery cells are designed as cylindrical round cells 114 and are arranged upright, i.e., with a vertical orientation corresponding to the vertical direction of the vehicle (= z-axis of the vehicle coordinate system). Free spaces 115 are located between the round cells 114.

[0027] The traction battery arrangement 100 further comprises a plurality of spacing elements 130 arranged between the underrun protection element 120 and the battery housing 110 or its base element 111. These spacing elements 130 space the underrun protection element 120, particularly in the region between the connection points of the fastening structure 121, from the battery housing 110 or its base element 111 and, particularly in the event of a crash, also support it. The support is provided at or vertically below the free spaces 115 between the round cells 114. This support also reduces the free bending lengths of the underrun protection element 120, as indicated by the reference symbol L, so that they essentially only correspond to the diameter of the round cells 124 located above them, for example.

[0028] To improve support, support elements 116 are also provided between the round cells 114 in the free spaces 115, which essentially form a vertical extension of the spacing elements 130 and enable a direct flow of force into the body floor 200. The dome- or pillar-like support elements 116 can be connected to the floor element 111 and / or ceiling element 112, which also has a beneficial effect on the overall rigidity of the battery housing 110.

[0029] Fig. 2 illustrates one possible design and arrangement for the spacer elements 130. The spacer elements 130 are designed as domes or pillars (pins) and have a round cross-section (left-hand side of the image) or a triangular cross-section (right-hand side of the image), although other cross-sectional shapes are also possible. Here, the spacer elements 130 form a regular support pattern that is determined or can be predetermined by the vertically projected arrangement of the round cells 114. The spacer elements 130 are designed and arranged such that overlap with the round cells 114 is avoided in the vertical direction or in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0030] Fig. 3 illustrates a possible design and arrangement in which the spacer elements 130 are designed as ribs or walls that extend in a zigzag or wave-like manner along or below the free spaces 115. These spacer elements 130 are also designed and arranged in such a way that overlap with the round cells 114 is avoided in the vertical direction or in the vehicle's vertical direction. The ribs or walls can also have a different orientation or even be arranged crosswise, resulting in a very stable compartment.

[0031] Further details and possible embodiments of the invention are described above.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS: 1 . Traction battery assembly (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a battery housing (110) with a base element (111), wherein a plurality of cylindrical round cells (114) are arranged upright in the battery housing (110) and free spaces (115) are also present; - an underrun protection element (120) arranged below the battery housing (110); - spacing elements (130) which are arranged between the underrun protection element (120) and the battery housing (110) and support the underrun protection element (120) against the floor element (111), wherein the support takes place below the free spaces (115).

2. Traction battery arrangement (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that support elements (116) are arranged in the free spaces (115).

3. Traction battery arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacing elements (130) are designed as domes.

4. Traction battery arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacing elements (130) are designed as ribs or walls.

5. Traction battery arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spacing elements (130) are designed as separate elements.

6. Traction battery arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spacing elements (130) are formed onto the underrun protection element (120).

7. Traction battery arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spacing elements (130) are formed onto the base element (111).

8. Motor vehicle comprising at least one traction battery arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

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