Temperature control arrangement for immersion temperature control and battery cell arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a temperature control arrangement for controlling the temperature of battery cells (11), comprising: a planar main region (2) having a first flat side (21) and a second flat side (22), a plurality of first support regions (3) on the first flat side (21), a plurality of second support regions (4) on the second flat side (22), wherein first temperature control channels (5) are formed between adjacent first support regions (3), wherein second temperature control channels (6) are formed between adjacent second support regions (4), wherein the main region (2), the first support region (3) and the second support region (4) are produced in a single piece from a reversibly deformable material and wherein the first temperature control channels (5) and the second temperature control channels (6) extend continuously from a first side (23) of the main region to a second side (24) of the main region (2).

Description

[0001] November 25, 2024 Mattausch

[0002] Applicant: Carl Freudenberg KG, 69469 Weinheim

[0003] Temperature control arrangement for immersion temperature control and battery cell arrangement

[0004] Description

[0005] The present invention relates to a temperature control arrangement for controlling the temperature of battery cells, as well as to a battery cell arrangement comprising a plurality of battery cells and a temperature control arrangement according to the invention. The invention can also be used for analog cells and systems of supercapacitors.

[0006] Due to the recent sharp increase in demands on battery system charging, particularly rapid charging, new temperature control concepts must be found for such battery systems. One option for temperature control of battery systems is so-called immersion temperature control, in which a liquid temperature control medium that is electrically non-conductive flows around the battery cells. For immersion temperature control to be as effective as possible, the battery cells must be flushed as directly and completely as possible with the temperature control fluid. This complete flushing of the cell in the cell assembly is not possible with the state of the art, as the battery cells must be operated in a mechanically compressed state to reduce aging effects. For this reason, prismatic cells and pouch cells in particular are clamped together on their large side surfaces.To compensate for changes in the external shape of the cells due to charging and discharging and due to aging, compressible cell intermediate elements are used.

[0007] Current cell interlayers, such as foams, are designed to prevent circulating temperature control media from coming into direct contact with the cell. This limits temperature control to the narrow side surfaces, the base, and the lid.

[0008] For example, US Pat. No. 11,626,636 B2 discloses a temperature control assembly for immersion temperature control with a grid structure as the outer frame. While this allows the temperature control system free access between the cells, the cells can no longer be clamped together using a cell interlayer.

[0009] It is the object of the present invention to provide a temperature control arrangement for immersion temperature control of battery cells with a liquid temperature control medium and a battery cell arrangement with such a temperature control arrangement, with simple and cost-effective manufacture, wherein the possibility of clamping to one another is ensured.

[0010] This object is achieved by a temperature control arrangement having the features of claim 1 and a battery cell arrangement having the features of claim 14. The subclaims each show preferred developments of the invention.

[0011] The temperature control arrangement according to the invention for temperature control of battery cells with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that particularly effective temperature control of battery cells is possible, even if the external shape of the battery cells has changed. Such a change in the external shape of the battery cell can occur, for example, due to charging and / or discharging processes or other internal and / or external factors influencing the battery cell, in particular aging of the battery cells. At the same time, the temperature control arrangement according to the invention, which can be arranged in a space between two adjacent battery cells, enables secure compression of the adjacent battery cells against one another, so that a battery cell arrangement with a plurality of battery cells can have a particularly compact and stable structure with excellent temperature control performance and safe use.The temperature control arrangement according to the invention allows for significant changes in the external shape of battery cells, ensuring effective temperature control throughout the entire life cycle of the battery cell. This is important because aged cells, in particular, have increased internal resistance and thus release more heat during charging / discharging than fresh cells.

[0012] This is achieved according to the invention in that the temperature control arrangement has a planar main region with a first and a second flat side and a plurality of first support regions, in particular first webs, on the first flat side and a plurality of second support regions, in particular second webs, on the second flat side. The planar main region forms a mat-like structure with support regions on both flat sides. A first temperature control channel is formed between each adjacent first support region. In the same way, a second temperature control channel is formed between two adjacent second support regions. The main region of the temperature control arrangement and the first and second support regions are made in one piece from a reversibly deformable material.The first and second temperature control channels run continuously from a first end face of the temperature control arrangement to a second end face of the temperature control arrangement.

[0013] In other words, the temperature control arrangement according to the invention comprises a mat on which temperature control channels are provided on both flat sides by forming support areas on the flat sides, wherein the support areas form a lateral boundary of the temperature control channels. Sectional openings in the support areas of the temperature control channels are conceivable, allowing media exchange between the individual temperature control channels. A bottom or side of the temperature control channels is formed by the flat main area, wherein the temperature control channels are open, in particular, to the battery cells.

[0014] The temperature control channels are preferably open to the battery cells, allowing the temperature control medium to come into direct contact with the wall areas of the battery cells. This enables effective temperature control with direct contact between the temperature control medium and the battery cells.

[0015] At the same time, the temperature control assembly also forms a spacer in the gap between two adjacent battery cells. Since the temperature control assembly is made of a reversibly deformable material, any external changes in the shape of the battery cells will result in corresponding changes in the shape of the temperature control assembly. However, the large number of support points or support areas and temperature control channels on both sides of the flat main area ensures that, even if the shape of the battery cells changes externally, sufficient temperature control channels are always available for a temperature control process of the battery cells, enabling effective temperature control.

[0016] The invention thus comprises cell intermediate elements which, on the one hand, ensure the tensioning of the cells and, on the other hand, have a high free cross-section for the temperature control medium, particularly in the pressed state.

[0017] According to the invention, a reversibly deformable material is understood to mean a material that is an elastic material, a viscoelastic material, or a plastic material that is reversibly deformable up to a yield point, or a material with open and closed pores, wherein the closed pores are particularly gas-filled, e.g., a foam. The material of the temperature control device further preferably has a Shore hardness in a range from 5 to 98 Shore A or in a range from 1 to 65 Shore D, each measured using a Shore hardness testing method.

[0018] Further preferably, the material of the temperature control assembly has an elastic property in a compression set range of 98% to 73%. Further preferably, the material of the temperature control assembly has a compression set in a range of 0 to 90%.

[0019] Preferably, the material of the tempering arrangement has a hysteresis at a tensile strain and / or a compressive strain in a range of 0 to 90%.

[0020] Preferably, the material used for the temperature control assembly is elastomers, polyurethanes, thermoplastics, or foam. In particular, the material used for the temperature control assembly is NBR, HNBR, TPU, PII-R, FKM, silicone, AEM, ACM, or EPDM.

[0021] More preferably, the material of the temperature control arrangement is selected from the group of EPM, EPDM, NBR, HNBR, ACM, AEM, ANM, VMQ, FVMQ, PMQ, PVMQ, FKM, FFKM, EVA, SBR, BR, IR, HR, NR, CR, X-NBR, X-EPDM, X-SBR, AU, TPA, TPC, TPU, TPO, TPV, TPS.

[0022] Further preferably, the material of the temperature control arrangement is selected from the group of polyamides, polyesters, poly(thio)ethers, polycarbonates, polyimides, polysulfones, polyketones, polyurethanes, polyolefins, halogen-containing vinyl resins, polyvinyl aromatics, (meth)acrylates, insofar as these materials are at least partially reversibly deformable.

[0023] Preferably, all first support regions and / or all second support regions are arranged in the same direction to one another, in particular parallel or systematically.

[0024] A particularly simple and cost-effective manufacturing of the temperature control assembly is possible if the first and / or second support areas are linear. In particular, if the first and second support areas are linear, the temperature control assembly can be manufactured as a component using an extrusion process.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second support regions each have the same cross-section.

[0026] Further preferably, the first and second support regions are arranged offset from one another in the transverse direction to the flow direction, i.e., transversely to the first and second temperature control channels. Particularly preferably, the first and second support regions are arranged offset from one another on the flat sides of the main region such that the support regions are each arranged in a central region of the temperature control channels located on the other flat side.

[0027] Further preferably, the planar main region is formed in a wave-like manner with wave crests and wave troughs, in particular with a constant wavelength. Thus, the planar main region meanders, with the first and second support regions preferably each being arranged at wave crests of the wave-like main region. Thus, a wave trough is provided on an opposite flat side of a wave crest, with the temperature control channels formed in the wave troughs. This enables particularly high compensation for a significant change in the external shape of the battery cells.

[0028] The respective material should preferably be selected so that it exhibits low or controllable swelling upon contact with the media. Typically, the swelling of the material upon contact with the media should be a maximum of 20%, preferably a maximum of 10%.

[0029] Particularly preferably, the temperature control arrangement is configured such that, after deformation due to a change in the external shape of one or more battery cells, a compression in a range of 0.03 MPa to 2.00 MPa, and preferably between 0.05 and 0.8 MPa, occurs in the cell assembly. This ensures that, when the change in the external shape of the battery cell is fully or partially reversed, the temperature control arrangement experiences sufficient compression in the cell assembly to remain in contact with the battery cell.

[0030] Particularly preferably, the temperature control channels have a length of 80-150 mm and a sum of all cross sections of the temperature control channels is preferably approximately 30 m 2 .

[0031] Particularly preferably, the temperature control channels have a length of 100 mm and a sum of all cross sections of the temperature control channels is approximately 30 m 2 .

[0032] Preferably, at the end of life, ie with bulged cells, the free cross-section of the temperature control arrangement is at least 25% and preferably at least 50% of the original value.

[0033] Channel structures in which the support areas are interrupted in sections, allowing material exchange between adjacent channels, are also preferred. This can increase the free cross-section and improve the homogeneity of the temperature control. Openings can preferably be through-holes or groove-shaped cuts in the support areas. The openings are preferably offset from one another in the channel direction in adjacent support areas.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a battery cell arrangement comprising at least a first and a second battery cell and a temperature control arrangement according to the invention. The temperature control arrangement is arranged between the first and second battery cells such that the temperature control arrangement is in contact with the first battery cell via the first support regions and with the second battery cell via the second support regions. The first and second battery cells are preferably designed as prismatic cells or as pouch cells. More preferably, the battery cell arrangement comprises a frame in which the first and second battery cells and / or the temperature control arrangement are accommodated.

[0035] A temperature control arrangement and a battery cell arrangement according to preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

[0036] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a battery cell arrangement with temperature control arrangements according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0037] Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the tempering arrangement of Fig. 1,

[0038] Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the tempering arrangement of Fig. 1,

[0039] Fig. 4 is a schematic partial sectional view of the tempering arrangement of Fig. 1

[0040] Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the battery cell arrangement of Fig. 1, and

[0041] Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of a tempering arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0042] A battery cell assembly 10 with temperature control assemblies 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Preferably, an orientation of the temperature control assembly 1 in both directions is conceivable; thus, the medium can be guided "horizontally" or "vertically" through the temperature control assembly.

[0043] As can be seen from the top view of Fig. 1, each battery cell has an anode 12, a cathode 13, a sealed burst opening 14 and a sealed filling opening 16.

[0044] A temperature control arrangement 1 is arranged between each adjacent battery cell 11.

[0045] The temperature control arrangement 1 can be seen in detail in Figures 2, 3, and 4. As can be seen from the top view of Figure 2, the temperature control arrangement has a planar main region 2. The planar main region 2 is wave-shaped and has a first flat side 21 and a second flat side 22. A plurality of first support regions 3 are arranged on the first flat side 21. A plurality of second support regions 4 are arranged on the second flat side 22.

[0046] The first and second support regions 3, 4 can be of identical design and can have the same cross-section. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the first support regions 3 and the second support regions 4 can be arranged rectilinearly and parallel to one another. First temperature control channels 5 are formed between adjacent first support regions 3. Second temperature control channels 6 are formed between adjacent second support regions 4 (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0047] The planar main region 2 and the first and second support regions 3, 4 are made in one piece from a reversibly deformable material, in particular an elastic material, which has at least a certain degree of elasticity. As shown in Fig. 3, the first and second support regions 3, 4 and thus also the first and second temperature control channels 5, 6 extend from a first cell side 23 of the temperature control arrangement 1 to a second cell side 24.

[0048] As can be seen from Fig. 3, a first width B1 of the temperature control channels can be wider than a second width B2 of the support areas. The first width B1 is at least twice as large as the second width B2.

[0049] As indicated in Fig. 3 by the arrows 15, which represent the tempering medium, the tempering medium flows through the first and second tempering channels 5, 6 on both sides of the planar main area 2.

[0050] The first and second temperature control channels 5, 6 are thus formed by the first and second support regions 3, 4 as wall regions, and the flat main region 2 as the base of the temperature control channels. The temperature control channels 5, 6 are open to the battery cells 11. As a result, the temperature control medium 15 comes into direct contact with an outer surface of the battery cells 11. This enables particularly good temperature control.

[0051] The planar main region 2 is wave-like with wave crests 25 and wave troughs 26. At the wave troughs 26, first grooves 7 can be formed on the first flat side 21 of the main region 2 and second grooves 8 can be formed on the second flat side 22 of the main region 2 (see in particular Fig. 4).

[0052] The first and second tempering channels 5, 6 are thus provided at the wave troughs 26 and the first and second support regions 3, 4 at the wave crests 25 (see Fig. 4).

[0053] The first and second grooves 7, 8 in the tempering channels 5, 6 improve a straight flow through the first and second tempering channels 5, 6.

[0054] Due to the main region 2, which has a meandering cross-section, a certain prestress of the temperature control arrangement can be provided such that the first and second support regions 3, 4 are each pressed against the walls of the battery cells 11. After a change in the external shape, the temperature control arrangement 1 has a compression in a range from 0.05 MPa to 2.00 MPa and in particular in the range from 0.05 MPa to 0.80 MPa. Such a change in the external shape of the temperature control arrangement 1 can occur, for example, due to a change in the external shape of the battery cells 11. Since the change in the external shape can occur during charging and discharging processes, such changes in the external shape of the battery cells 11 are possibly also reversible, so that the temperature control arrangement 1 always remains in contact with the walls of the battery cells 11 due to its internal compression.

[0055] The temperature control arrangement 1 can also accommodate an irreversible change in the external shape of the cells over their lifetime caused by aging processes in the cell.

[0056] For this purpose, a cross-section of the first support regions 3 and the second support regions 4 is bone-shaped with a first contact region 31 and a second contact region 32, as well as a connecting region 33. The connecting region 33 connects the free end of the bone-shaped support regions to the main region 2.

[0057] The bone-shaped design of the first and second support regions 3, 4 at their free ends ensures, in particular, that when the external shape of a battery cell on the temperature control arrangement 1 changes, a change in the external shape of the first and second contact regions 31, 32 occurs, which are pushed laterally away by the change in the external shape of the battery cell 11. As a result, a cross-section of the first and second temperature control channels 5, 6 remains essentially unchanged despite an incipient change in the external shape of a battery cell 11. If the battery cell 11 undergoes a further change in external shape, the first support regions 3 and second support regions 4 are pressed laterally into a temperature control channel, the cross-sectional area of ​​which can be reduced as a result.In the same way, however, a cross-section of the adjacent temperature control channel is enlarged, so that overall the temperature control performance is only minimally reduced despite changes in the external shape of the battery cell 11 and the temperature control arrangement 1. In any case, despite a change in the external shape of the battery cell, a temperature control channel always remains open in each area, so that temperature control is always guaranteed despite changes in the external shape.

[0058] Since the first and second support regions 3, 4 are linear, the temperature control assembly 1 can be manufactured very cost-effectively as an extruded component. The material used for the temperature control assembly 1 can be, for example, an elastomer, polyurethane, or a thermoplastic. Temperature control assemblies 1 consisting of multiple materials are also conceivable.

[0059] In the present exemplary embodiment, the battery cells 11 are shown as prismatic cells. However, it is also possible for pouch cells or other shaped cells, for example, to be cooled with the temperature control arrangement 1 according to the invention. Fig. 6 shows a temperature control arrangement 1 of a battery cell arrangement according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. Identical or functionally identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0060] In the second exemplary embodiment, the first and / or second support regions 3, 4 each have at least one opening 27. By way of example, Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the first section regions 3. Each support region 3 has a plurality of openings 27 formed in the first support regions 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the openings are grooves, so that a fluid connection is provided between adjacent temperature control channels. This allows fluid to be exchanged between the channels. The openings 27 can each be identical or can be provided with a different geometric shape. Otherwise, this exemplary embodiment corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment, so that reference can be made to the description given there.

[0061] In addition to the above written description of the invention, for its supplementary disclosure, reference is hereby explicitly made to the graphic representation of the invention in the figures

[0062] Reference is made.

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Tempering arrangement for tempering battery cells (11), comprising: - a planar main area (2) with a first flat side (21) and a second flat side (22), - a plurality of first support areas (3) on the first flat side (21), - a plurality of second support areas (4) on the second flat side (22), - wherein first tempering channels (5) are formed between adjacent first support regions (3), - wherein second tempering channels (6) are formed between adjacent second support regions (4), - wherein the main region (2), the first support region (3) and the second support region (4) are made in one piece from a reversibly deformable material and, - wherein the first tempering channels (5) and the second tempering channels (6) run continuously from a first side (23) of the main area to a second side (24) of the main area (2).

2. Tempering arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first support regions (3) and / or the second support regions (4) extend in the same direction, in particular parallel, to one another.

3. Tempering arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first support regions (3) and / or the second support regions (4) extend in a straight line.

4. Tempering arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the temperature control arrangement is formed as a component from an extrusion process, and / or - wherein the first support regions (3) and / or the second support regions (4) have openings so that adjacent tempering channels (5) are in fluid communication with one another.

5. Tempering arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first support regions (3) and the second support regions (4) have the same cross-section.

6. Temperature control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first support regions (3) and the second support regions (4) are arranged offset from one another on the planar main region (2) transversely to the flow direction.

7. Tempering arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the planar Main area (2) is wave-like with wave crests (25) and wave troughs (26).

8. Tempering arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the first support regions (3) and / or the second support regions (4) are arranged at the wave crests (25) and / or wherein the first tempering channels (5) and the second tempering channels (6) are arranged at the wave troughs (26).

9. Tempering arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cross section of the first support regions (3) and / or a cross section of the second support regions (4) are bone-shaped with a first contact region (31), a second contact region (32) and a connecting region (33) for connection to the planar main region (2).

10. Temperature control arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the first contact region (31) and the second contact region (32) are configured for line contact with the battery cell.

11. Temperature control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature control arrangement is an elastomer or a polyurethane component or a thermoplastic or a foam.

12. Tempering arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second tempering channels (5, 6) have a maximum first width B1 which is at least twice as large as a maximum second width B2 of the first support regions (3) and the second support regions (4).

13. Tempering arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tempering arrangement is designed to automatically return to an initial shape after deformation with a restoring force, in particular in a range of 0.05 MPa to 2.00 MPa.

14. Battery cell arrangement comprising at least a first and second battery cell (11) and a temperature control arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature control arrangement (1) is arranged between the first and second battery cells (11) such that the temperature control arrangement (1) is in contact with the first and with the second battery cell.

15. Battery cell arrangement according to claim 14, further comprising a frame in which the first and second battery cells (11) and / or the temperature control arrangement (1) are arranged.

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