Sealing element for use in a battery module mount of an electric energy store, arrangement and method for producing an arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing element (16) for use in a battery module mount (12) of an electrical energy store of an at least partially electrically driven motor vehicle, wherein the sealing element (16) is designed for arrangement on a mount plate (28) of the battery module mount (12), wherein the mount plate (28) is coupled on a top side (28) to a battery housing top part (14) and is coupled on a bottom side to a battery module (22), wherein the sealing element (16) has a radial first sealing ring (30) for sealing the sealing element (16) with respect to the mount plate (28), and the sealing element (16) has an axial second sealing ring (32) for sealing the sealing element (16) with respect to the battery module (22), and wherein in an inner region (34) of the sealing element (16) at least one connection element is guided from the battery housing top part (14) through to the battery module (22). The invention also relates to an arrangement (10) and to a method for creating an arrangement (10).

Description

[0001] Sealing element for insertion into a battery module holder of an electrical energy storage device, arrangement and method for producing an arrangement

[0002] The invention relates to a sealing element for insertion into a battery module holder of an electrical energy storage device of an at least partially electrically operated motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement and a method for producing or producing an arrangement.

[0003] Seals between two battery housing sections at an interface for power and coolant lines are already known from the prior art. The battery housing is essentially made of rectangular extruded profiles (SPP) that are arranged transversely to the direction of travel and welded together. The extruded profiles form the lower section of the battery housing.

[0004] For example, two cell modules are inserted into each extruded profile, one from the left and the other from the right, up to the center. The cell modules contain the individual battery cells, their interconnections, as well as the cooling and sensor systems. The interfaces for high-voltage, control, and cooling are located on the top front. The cell modules are inserted into the extruded profile so that the interfaces are in the center. The cell modules form a self-contained system.

[0005] The electrical wiring and cooling of the battery is located on the upper part of the housing and is covered by a housing cover. This forms the upper part of the housing itself. The cell modules are contacted through openings in the middle of the extruded profiles. The extruded profiles are closed off at the sides by so-called L-profiles. In particular, the cell modules must be aligned as precisely as possible in the extruded profiles to ensure reliable contact. A seal must be provided between the upper and lower parts of the housing and tolerance compensation must be provided at the interfaces between the extruded profiles and the cell block. In the event of a thermal event in one or more battery cells, these cells will outgas. Venting gases with temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Celsius can escape and upwards out of the cell module into the area between the cell module and the extruded profile.From there, it should flow through a channel in the L-profiles to the rupture discs and then into the environment. However, the venting gas should not enter the upper housing section through the openings in the extruded profile through which the cell modules are contacted.

[0006] US 11,431,058 B2 describes an inlet duct for a vehicle battery system comprising an inlet part with an inlet opening open to the vehicle interior, outlet parts which are separate from the inlet part and have outlet openings for supplying air introduced into the inlet opening to the battery system via two separate paths, and a grille provided in the inlet part and having a plurality of ribs forming a grille to cover the inlet opening.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a sealing element, an arrangement, and a method for producing an arrangement by means of which an improved operation of an electrical energy storage device can be realized.

[0008] This object is achieved by a sealing element, an arrangement, and a method for producing an arrangement according to the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

[0009] One aspect of the invention relates to a sealing element for insertion into a battery module holder of an electrical energy storage device of an at least partially electrically operated motor vehicle, wherein the sealing element is designed to arrange a holding plate of the battery module holder, wherein the holding plate is coupled on an upper side to a battery housing upper part and is coupled on an underside to a battery module.

[0010] It is provided that the sealing element has a radial first sealing ring for sealing the sealing element relative to the mounting plate, and the sealing element has an axial second sealing ring for sealing the sealing element relative to the battery module, and wherein in an inner region of the sealing element at least one connecting element is passed through from the battery housing upper part to the battery module.

[0011] In particular, the invention proposes that the openings between the corresponding housing levels be sealed, in particular separately, by the mounting plate with the sealing element, which is inserted, for example, from above into the openings of the battery module mounting, which is designed in particular as an extruded profile, on the battery cell modules. The sealing element has an axial seal to the top of the battery cell modules and a radial seal to the extruded profile in order to achieve tolerance compensation between the extruded profile and the battery cell block.

[0012] The sealing area runs in a ring around the interfaces on the battery cell module, especially for the connecting elements. This has the particular advantage of ensuring a seal between the venting areas on the one hand and the electrical and cooling systems on the other, despite different mounting directions of cell modules and their contacting. Furthermore, tolerance compensation between the battery cell block and the extruded profile can be achieved. A stop can also be provided for aligning the cell modules within the extruded profile, thus eliminating the need for a corresponding stop device.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the sealing element has at least two current sleeves for passing through two high-voltage cables as a connecting element. In other words, at least two high-voltage cables are routed from the upper part of the battery housing to the battery module. These are then routed to the battery module, in particular via the current sleeves within the sealing element. In particular, the high-voltage contact of the cell modules is thus integrated directly into the sealing insert, which is connected to the cell module, for example, via the corresponding busbar screw connections, and the axial seal is pressed onto the cell module cover.

[0014] It has also proven advantageous if the two current sleeves are additionally designed to fix the battery module to a current busbar.

[0015] For example, the busbar can be located on the top side of the current sleeve, and the contact with the cell terminals of the battery module can be made on the bottom side of the current sleeve. The current sleeve can also have a thread. A screw can then be screwed from the busbar through the current sleeve into the terminal. This ensures reliable contact between the high-voltage cables or the current sleeves and the busbar with the corresponding terminals.

[0016] It has also proven advantageous if the sealing element has at least two cooling openings for the passage of two cooling lines as a connecting element. In particular, coolant lines are also inserted through the annular opening in the sealing element between, for example, the high-voltage contacts. The coolant lines can be attached to the sealing insert. This also enables reliable cooling of the battery modules.

[0017] It is also advantageous if the sealing element has a carrier plate on which at least the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring are arranged. This creates a support structure for the sealing element, thereby achieving a reliable seal between the battery module holder and the battery module itself.

[0018] It is also advantageous if the carrier plate is made of an electrically insulating material. This can prevent, for example, electrical arcing.

[0019] A further advantageous embodiment provides that the sealing element has a control line opening for the passage of at least one control line as a connecting element. In particular, this line can also be designed as a low-voltage line. This line can also be inserted through an annular opening in the sealing insert between the high-voltage openings. This also reliably ensures the control of the cell modules.

[0020] A further aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement for an electrical energy storage device of an at least partially electrically operated motor vehicle with at least one battery module holder, a battery housing upper part and a sealing element according to the preceding aspect.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the arrangement, a sealing element holder is formed on the holding plate, which is designed to receive the sealing element and / or positioning elements and / or the holding plate has positioning elements which are designed to position the battery element relative to the holding plate. In particular, if, for example, the holding plate is designed to be correspondingly thin, the sealing element holder can be designed to establish a correspondingly reliable contact between the holding plate and the sealing element. Furthermore, the positioning elements can be designed to form corresponding stop elements when the battery modules are inserted laterally, so that a reliable positioning of the battery modules within the battery module holder can be achieved.

[0022] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing an arrangement according to the preceding aspect, comprising the steps of providing the battery module holder, inserting at least one battery module into a receptacle of the battery module holder, arranging the sealing element on a holding plate of the battery module holder, and arranging the battery housing upper part on the holding plate.

[0023] In particular, the corresponding stops can thus also be integrated, for example, in the corresponding sealing frame, which can also be referred to as a sealing element holder, which align the battery modules in the extruded profile, i.e. the battery module holder, both in the longitudinal and transverse directions, so that the corresponding interfaces of the battery modules are aligned as precisely as possible with the sealing frame and the sealing inserts can be reliably installed.

[0024] Advantageous embodiments of the sealing element are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the arrangement and the method.

[0025] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an arrangement;

[0027] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a sealing element;

[0028] Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an arrangement;

[0029] Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an arrangement;

[0030] Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an arrangement; and

[0031] Fig. 6 is a further schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an arrangement.

[0032] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an arrangement 10. The arrangement 10 is designed for an electrical energy storage device (not shown) of an at least partially electrically powered motor vehicle (not shown). For example, the electrical energy storage device can have additional arrangements 10.

[0034] The arrangement 10 has at least one battery module holder 12, a battery housing upper part 14 and a sealing element 16 (Fig. 2). In the present exemplary embodiment, in particular, the battery housing upper part 14 is already arranged on the battery module holder 12. The battery module holder 12 essentially has a plurality of extruded profiles 18. Furthermore, a corresponding interior space between the extruded profiles 18 can be closed off via so-called L-profiles 20. In particular, in the intermediate spaces, i.e. the described interior spaces, between the extruded profiles 18, corresponding battery modules 22 (Fig. 3) are arranged. The battery modules 22 are arranged laterally, in particular. In particular, at least two battery modules 22 are arranged within the extruded profiles. For example, a respective battery module 22 can be arranged on a left and a right side of the arrangement 10.In particular, in this case, the upper battery housing part 14 is arranged centrally. A cooling device 24 and an electrical or electronic system 26 can be arranged in the interior of the upper battery housing part 14, for example.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a sealing element 16. The sealing element 16 is designed for insertion into the battery module holder 12. The sealing element 16 is in turn designed for arrangement on a mounting plate 28 of the battery module holder 12. The mounting plate 28 is coupled to the battery housing upper part 14 on an upper side and to a battery module 22 on an underside.

[0036] For this purpose, the sealing element 16 has a radially first sealing ring 30 for sealing the sealing element 16 with respect to the mounting plate 28, and the sealing element 16 further has an axial second sealing ring 32 for sealing the sealing element 16 with respect to the battery module 22, and wherein in an inner region 34 of the sealing element 16 at least one connecting element is passed through from the battery housing upper part 14 to the battery module 22.

[0037] In particular, Fig. 2 shows the sealing element 16, which further comprises at least two current sleeves 36 for passing through two high-voltage lines 38. The two current sleeves 36 can additionally be designed to fix the battery module 22 to a busbar 40 (Fig. 6).

[0038] Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows that the sealing element 16 has at least two cooling openings 42 for the passage of two cooling lines 44 (Fig. 6) as a connecting element. Furthermore, it is shown in particular that the sealing element 16 has a control line opening 46 for the passage of at least one control line 48 (Fig. 6).

[0039] Furthermore, it is shown in particular that the sealing element 16 has a carrier plate 50 on which at least the first sealing ring 36 and the second sealing ring 32 are arranged. The carrier plate 50 is formed in particular from an electrically insulating material.

[0040] Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an arrangement 10. In the following exemplary embodiment, it is shown in particular that a sealing element holder 52 is formed on the support plate 28, which is designed to receive the sealing element 16. Furthermore, Fig. 3 shows that the support plate 52 can have positioning elements 54, which are designed to position the battery module 22 relative to the support plate 22, 28.

[0041] Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an arrangement 10. In the following exemplary embodiment, it is shown in particular that the sealing element holder 52 has two receptacles for receiving two sealing elements 16. Each sealing element 16 is assigned in particular to a battery module 22 located underneath (not shown).

[0042] Fig. 5 shows a further schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the arrangement 10. In the following embodiment, a section through the sealing element 16 is shown, in particular with the corresponding sealing rings 30, 32.

[0043] Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an arrangement 10. In the following exemplary embodiment, a complete arrangement of the battery module 22 below the sealing element 16 is shown. The current sleeves 36 contact cell poles 56 of the battery module 22. A current busbar 40 is screwed to the pole 56 via a corresponding current-conducting screw 58 and via the current sleeves 26.

[0044] List of reference symbols

[0045] 10 Arrangement

[0046] 12 Battery module holder

[0047] 14 Battery housing upper part

[0048] 16 Sealing element

[0049] 18 extruded profile

[0050] 20 L-profile

[0051] 22 Battery module

[0052] 24 Cooling device

[0053] 26 Electrics / Electronics

[0054] 28 Mounting plate

[0055] 30 First sealing ring

[0056] 32 Second sealing ring

[0057] 34 Inner area

[0058] 36 current sleeve

[0059] 38 high-voltage line

[0060] 40 Busbar

[0061] 42 Cooling opening

[0062] 44 Cooling line

[0063] 46 Control line opening

[0064] 48 Control line

[0065] 50 carrier plate

[0066] 52 Sealing element holder

[0067] 54 Positioning element

[0068] 56 cell pole

[0069] 58 screw

Claims

Patent claims 1. A sealing element (16) for insertion into a battery module holder (12) of an electrical energy storage device of an at least partially electrically operated motor vehicle, wherein the sealing element (16) is designed to be arranged on a holder plate (28) of the battery module holder (12), wherein the holder plate (28) is coupled to a battery housing upper part (14) on an upper side (28) and is coupled to a battery module (22) on an underside, characterized in that the sealing element (16) has a radial first sealing ring (30) for sealing the sealing element (16) with respect to the holder plate (28), and the sealing element (16) has an axial second sealing ring (32) for sealing the sealing element (16) with respect to the battery module (22), and wherein at least one connecting element is passed through an inner region (34) of the sealing element (16) from the battery housing upper part (14) to the battery module (22).

2. Sealing element (16) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing element (16) has at least two current sleeves (36) for passing through two high-voltage lines (38) as a connecting element.

3. Sealing element (16) according to claim 2, characterized in that the two current sleeves (36) are additionally designed to fix the battery module (22) to a current collecting rail (40).

4. Sealing element (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (16) has at least two cooling openings (42) for the passage of two cooling lines (44) as a connecting element.

5. Sealing element (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (16) has a carrier plate (50) on which at least the first sealing ring (30) and the second sealing ring (32) are arranged.

6. Sealing element (16) according to claim 5, characterized in that the carrier plate (50) is formed from an electrically insulating material.

7. Sealing element (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (16) has a control line opening (46) for the passage of at least one control line (48) as a connecting element.

8. Arrangement (10) for an electrical energy storage device of an at least partially electrically operated motor vehicle, with at least one battery module holder (12), a battery housing upper part (14) and a sealing element (16) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Arrangement (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that a sealing element holder (52) is formed on the holding plate (28), which is designed to receive the sealing element (16) and / or the sealing element holder (52) has positioning elements (54) which are designed to position the battery module (22) relative to the holding plate (28).

10. A method for producing an arrangement (10) according to one of claims 8 or 9, comprising steps: - Providing battery module holder (12); - Inserting a battery module (22) into a receptacle of the battery module holder - Arranging the sealing element (16) on a mounting plate (28) of the Battery module holder (12); and - Place the upper part of the battery housing (14) on the support plate (28).

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