High-voltage storage device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-voltage storage device (10) for a motor vehicle (50), comprising a plurality of battery cells (13) which are arranged in an interior space (12) enclosed by a housing (11), the battery cells (13) being fixed in place in the interior space (12) by means of a medium (16).

Description

[0001] High-voltage storage for a motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a high-voltage storage device for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of battery cells arranged in an interior space enclosed by a housing, wherein the battery cells are secured in the interior space by means of a medium, wherein the housing has a separating device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a housing for such a high-voltage storage device and a motor vehicle having at least one such high-voltage storage device.

[0003] High-voltage storage units, also known as traction batteries or accumulators, are used to provide electrical energy for powering electric motors in motor vehicles. Such high-voltage storage units typically comprise an array of battery cells connected in parallel and series using a contacting device, which are housed in a housing. The battery cells, together with the contacting device, are typically overmolded or encapsulated with an adhesive structural foam to ensure mechanical stability and provide thermal and / or electrical insulation.

[0004] In accident situations, deformation of the high-voltage storage unit or its housing can occur, which can continue inside the housing and thus in the area of ​​the battery cells and their contact device.

[0005] Such deformation can lead to damage and / or detachment of the current-carrying contact system from the battery cells, which can result in undesirable and safety-critical short circuits and / or thermal events.

[0006] Against this background, it is an object of the invention to improve a high-voltage storage device for a motor vehicle. In particular, a high-voltage storage device is to be improved to enable increased safety in the event of an accident-related deformation. This object is achieved by a high-voltage storage device for a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1, a housing for a high-voltage storage device having the features of claim 9, and a motor vehicle having the features of claim 10. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a high-voltage storage device for a motor vehicle is specified, comprising a plurality of battery cells which are arranged in an interior space enclosed by a housing, wherein the battery cells are fixed in the interior space by means of a medium, wherein the housing has a separating device which is configured to at least partially separate the medium when a force acts on the housing.

[0008] This allows a composite of medium and battery cells to be separated, particularly in a targeted or locally predetermined manner, in order to avoid or even prevent unwanted damage to the battery cells and / or any other components arranged in the interior of the housing. The separating device can essentially create a predetermined breaking point, so that a deformation based on the application of force can only occur in a predetermined area of ​​the medium or the high-voltage storage device. This can prevent, for example, the occurrence of deformation-related short circuits and / or thermal events, thereby increasing safety in the event of an accident-related deformation of the high-voltage storage device.

[0009] The high-voltage storage device is, in particular, an energy storage device or a drive accumulator for a motor vehicle, which has a plurality of battery cells. The housing of the high-voltage storage device defines an interior space in which the battery cells are accommodated or arranged. Cylindrical battery cells are used in particular, which can be provided in pack arrangements. A battery cell has, for example, a circular cell cross-section and a longitudinal axis arranged perpendicular to this. When installed in a motor vehicle, the high-voltage storage device and / or the battery cells are arranged, in particular, such that the longitudinal axes of the battery cells are arranged parallel to a vehicle vertical. The interior space can have a substantially cuboidal geometry, which is delimited by walls of the housing.For this purpose, the housing comprises, for example, a trough-shaped housing cover and / or a trough-shaped housing tray, which together can enclose the interior. The housing, the housing cover, and / or the housing tray can have walls, wherein (in each case) two side walls can be arranged opposite one another in a transverse direction of the vehicle when installed in a motor vehicle.

[0010] In order to protect the battery cells from mechanical shocks and / or vibrations, particularly under normal operating conditions, cavities that form between the battery cells and / or within the housing are filled with a medium, in particular an adhesive or sticky one. This medium can be a two-component material, for example, and / or comprise silicone, silicone foam, epoxy, epoxy foam and / or polyurethane foam. As a result, the battery cells are fixed by means of the medium, in particular to one another and to the housing, and together they form a bond that cannot be separated non-destructively. As a result, if a load, such as a force or impact, acts on the housing, this load can be transferred to the bond made up of the medium and battery cells, which can deform and / or damage or destroy it.

[0011] The invention is based on the idea of ​​directing deformation energy into a specific area of ​​the interior or the medium and thus separating it at a predetermined location to avoid damage to the battery cells. For this purpose, it is proposed to provide a separating device on the housing. The separating device is designed to separate the medium when the housing deforms under a load or force, in order to thus, for example, create a crack or fracture in the medium. Separation or separation of the medium, within the meaning of the present disclosure, is understood in particular to mean a failure of a structure of the medium. This failure can, for example, be initiated by the formation and / or expansion of at least one crack and can be accompanied by a loss of stability of the medium or fracture, in particular after a critical crack length has been reached.In this way, deformation energy caused by the application of force can be absorbed, particularly in a predetermined area, in order to avoid or prevent major damage to the overall system of the high-voltage storage device.

[0012] In one embodiment, the separating device is configured to separate the medium at a distance from a cell contacting device of the battery cells. The cell contacting device can be configured to enable electrical parallel and / or series connection of the battery cells in a cell assembly. For this purpose, the cell contacting device has at least one connecting device configured to provide an electrical connection between the battery cells. For example, the cell contacting device can be designed as a stamped or lasered cell contacting plate and arranged on the end face of the battery cells of the high-voltage storage device or their poles in order to connect positive and / or negative contacts of the battery cells.

[0013] By separating the medium at a distance from the cell contact device, which carries current during operation, or by causing a break at a distance from it, it is possible to prevent the cell contact device or its components from detaching from battery cells, which could cause a thermal event and / or a short circuit in battery cells. This can improve the safety of the high-voltage storage system in the event of deformation.

[0014] In one embodiment, the separating element is arranged on at least one inner side of the housing. This allows the separating element to be arranged in direct contact with the medium in order to separate the medium under load or an overload caused by the force. In this case, the separating device can, for example, be configured to create a crack or crack nucleus in the medium, which can be caused in particular by a deformation-related movement of the separating device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the separating device is arranged on a side wall of the housing. A side wall of the housing is in particular a wall which, when the high-voltage storage unit is installed, is arranged on a side of the motor vehicle. For example, a plurality of individual separating devices can be formed or arranged, in particular in a line along the side wall, and / or a single separating device can extend, in particular continuously, along the side wall. As a result, in the event of a deformation of the housing caused by the action of a force, the separating device can be moved over an entire length of the housing in the direction of the medium, such that a separating effect of the separating device with respect to the medium can be improved.

[0016] In a high-voltage storage device arranged in a motor vehicle during normal operation, such a separating device can, for example, extend horizontally along at least one side wall. In other embodiments, two separating devices can be arranged on opposite side walls. In still further embodiments, separating devices can be arranged on all side walls and can be of the same or different design.

[0017] In one embodiment, the separating device is arranged on a housing cover of the housing. The housing cover can, for example, have four side walls which are connected by a common cover plate and can, for example, be configured to form the housing together with a housing base designed as a trough. Since in a typical operational arrangement of the high-voltage storage device the cell contacting device is arranged in a vertically upper region of the high-voltage storage device, by arranging the separating device on the housing cover or in particular at least one side wall of the housing cover, it can be arranged vertically above a region in which the cell contacting device of the battery cells is arranged, in order to be able to bring about a separation at a distance from the cell contacting device.

[0018] In one embodiment, the separating device is wedge-shaped. For example, the separating device may have a triangular cross-section and / or be arranged on the housing with its tip, formed by the wedge shape, oriented toward the medium. Extending along the side wall or in a vehicle longitudinal direction, the separating device may be designed, for example, as a wedge-shaped rib, in order to be able to achieve a cutting effect in the medium with the tip of the separating device. This can facilitate separation of the medium. In other embodiments, the separating device may have a circular outline and / or a conical shape.

[0019] In one embodiment, the separating device has a width of approximately 10 mm. This refers, in particular, to a width or a dimension from the tip to a foot or at a footprint of the separating device bordering the housing, such that the separating device can protrude approximately 10 mm from the housing into the medium. This can promote separation or crack formation due to deformation or movement of the separating device. In other embodiments, the dimensions of the separating device can be larger or smaller, in particular depending on the geometry of the high-voltage storage device and the nature of the medium.

[0020] In one embodiment, a protective element is arranged adjacent to and / or at a distance from the cell contacting device of the battery cells, and the separating device is configured to separate the medium at a distance from the protective element. The separating device can additionally or alternatively be configured and / or arranged on the housing in such a way as to detach the medium from the protective element or to separate it from the latter. The protective element can be designed, for example, as a metal sheet and / or a foil which is arranged at a distance from the cell contacting device in a vertical or longitudinal direction of the battery cells and is likewise enclosed by the medium. The protective element can thus form a plane which can serve as a predetermined breaking point or plane.This can result in a targeted, particularly spatially limited and / or predetermined separation of the medium, whereby the protection of the cell contacting device and / or the battery cells can be improved.

[0021] According to a further aspect, a housing for a high-voltage storage device is proposed, which is configured to be used on or for a high-voltage storage device of the type described herein. The housing is designed and configured, in particular, in the manner described above and below to form an interior space for battery cells. The separating element provided on the housing allows the advantages and effects described herein to be achieved.

[0022] According to a further aspect, a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising at least one high-voltage storage device described herein and / or at least one housing described herein. Naturally, the effects and advantages described herein can be utilized by such a motor vehicle.

[0023] Further advantages and possible applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention comprising a high-voltage storage device according to the invention.

[0025] Figs. 2a and 2b show schematic representations of an exemplary embodiment of a high-voltage storage device according to the invention for a motor vehicle. Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 50 according to the invention comprising a high-voltage storage device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] The high-voltage storage device 10 is arranged in a floor area of ​​the motor vehicle 50 and is configured to supply energy for a drive system of the motor vehicle 50 (not further illustrated or described here). The high-voltage storage device 10 has a housing 11 that encloses an interior space 12. A plurality of battery cells 13 are arranged in the interior space 12 formed by the housing 11, which are electrically interconnected or connected to one another by means of a cell contacting device 14 arranged on their end faces.

[0027] A protective element 15 is arranged vertically above and spaced from the battery cells 13 and the cell contacting device 14. The interior space 12 is filled with a medium 16, enclosing the components arranged therein—namely, the battery cells 13, the cell contacting device 14, and the protective element 15—and filling the gaps formed therebetween, connecting the components to form a composite or securing them. The medium 16 can be adhesive to increase the stability of the high-voltage storage device 10.

[0028] A separating device 17 is arranged on each side wall 21 of the housing 11 on an inner side of the housing 11 or facing the interior 12. In other exemplary embodiments, the separating device 17 can also be formed from a plurality of separating elements, wherein a separating element can correspond to a form of a separating device 17 described herein.

[0029] The separating device 17 is configured to at least partially separate the medium 16 when a force acts on the housing 11 or to cause the structure of the medium 16 to fail. As a result, a deformation of the housing 11 caused by the force can be counteracted in the interior space 12 by separating the medium 16 in order to avoid or prevent damage to the cell contacting device 14 and / or the battery cells 13 of the high-voltage storage device 10.

[0030] In Fig. 2a and 2b, a partial view of a further embodiment of a high-voltage storage device 10 according to the invention for a motor vehicle 50 is shown in a sectional view.

[0031] Fig. 2a shows a view of the high-voltage storage device 10 in a state prior to the application of force or deformation. In the present exemplary embodiment, a housing 11 of the high-voltage storage device 10 has a trough-shaped housing cover 22 and a likewise trough-shaped housing trough 23, each of which has side walls 21 and together defines or delimits an interior space 12. Battery cells 13, a cell contacting device 14 electrically connecting the battery cells 13, and a protective element 15 are arranged in the interior space 12 and secured by means of a medium 16. The medium 16 at least substantially completely fills the interior space 12.

[0032] A separating device 17 is arranged in the interior space 12 or on a side wall 21 of the housing 11. This separating device is designed to at least partially separate the medium 16 upon the action of a force on the housing 11 or upon deformation of the housing 11. The separating element 11 has a width B of approximately 10 mm and projects from the housing 11 into the interior space 12 or the medium 16.

[0033] Fig. 2b shows a view of the high-voltage storage device 10 in a state after a force F has acted on the housing 11 or a deformation caused thereby. The housing 11 or the housing cover 22 is shown in a schematically illustrated deformation state. Here, it is shown that a movement of the side wall 21 and thus of the wedge-shaped separating device 17 in the direction of the interior 12 or the medium 16 occurs due to the force F, whereby the separating device 17 separates the medium 16. This causes a crack 20 or a break in the medium 16 or, in the present exemplary embodiment, the medium 16 is at least partially detached from the protective element 15.

[0034] As a result, the medium 16 is separated in a vertical or longitudinal direction of the battery cells 13 at a distance from the cell contacting device 14. The protective element 15 can thus act as a predetermined breaking point, thereby effecting a particularly targeted separation of the medium 16 in order to improve protection of the cell contacting device 14 and / or the battery cells 13 and thus improve the safety of the high-voltage storage device 10, particularly in the event of an accident-related deformation.

[0035] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0036] 10 high-voltage storage units

[0037] 11 housings

[0038] 12 Interior 13 Battery cell(s)

[0039] 14 Cell contacting device

[0040] 15 protective element

[0041] 16 Medium

[0042] 17 Separator 21 Side wall

[0043] 22 Housing cover

[0044] 23 Housing tray

[0045] 50 motor vehicles

[0046] B Width of the separating device F Force

Claims

CLAIMS 1. High-voltage storage device (10) for a motor vehicle (50), comprising a plurality of battery cells (13) which are arranged in an interior space (12) enclosed by a housing (11), wherein the battery cells (13) are fixed in the interior space (12) by means of a medium (16), wherein the housing (11) has a separating device (17) which is designed to at least partially separate the medium (16) when a force (F) acts on the housing (11).

2. High-voltage storage device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the separating device (17) is designed to separate the medium (16) at a distance from a cell contacting device (14) of the battery cells (13).

3. High-voltage storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating device (17) is arranged in the interior (13) of the housing (11).

4. High-voltage storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating device (17) is arranged on at least one side wall (21) of the housing (11).

5. High-voltage storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating device (17) is arranged on a housing cover (22) of the housing (11).

6. High-voltage storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating device (17) is wedge-shaped.

7. High-voltage storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating device (17) has a width (B) of approximately 10 mm.

8. High-voltage storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a protective element (15) is arranged adjacent to the cell contacting device (14) of the battery cells (13), and the separating device (17) is configured to separate the medium (16) at a distance from the protective element (15).

9. Housing (11) for a high-voltage storage device (10), which is designed to be used on a high-voltage storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Motor vehicle (50), comprising at least one high-voltage storage device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and / or at least one housing (11) according to claim 9.

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