Battery and battery system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a battery (1), preferably a vehicle battery, having a receiving housing (132) which forms a receiving volume (130), wherein a multiplicity of battery cells (4) are received in the receiving volume (130), and having a housing cover (100) which closes off the receiving housing (132) and thus encloses the receiving volume (130), wherein a gas-guiding space (120) for guiding gases when passing through a battery cell (4) is provided, wherein the housing cover (100) delimits the gas-guiding space (120).

Description

[0001] Battery and battery system for a motor vehicle

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The present invention relates to a battery, preferably a vehicle battery, such as is used, for example, to supply electrical energy to an electric drive of an electrically powered vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a battery system for this use in a motor vehicle.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Batteries are used primarily as high-voltage batteries or traction batteries, for example, to provide electrical energy in an electric vehicle (EV). Batteries typically comprise a plurality of battery cells, for example, in the form of pouch cells, prismatic cells, or cylindrical cells.

[0006] Typical battery cells in electric vehicles can reach high temperatures under heavy load. The battery cells can also be subjected to severe mechanical stress. High temperatures or severe mechanical stress can lead to thermal runaway in battery cells in electric vehicles. Thermal runaway refers to the overheating of the cell through a self-reinforcing process that often leads to the cell rupturing and the emission of combustion gases. To achieve targeted gas flow during thermal runaway, cells usually have an exhaust valve through which the combustion gases are specifically diverted. Thermal runaway can, in turn, lead to thermal propagation if the thermal runaway in one cell spreads to neighboring cells.

[0007] It is therefore necessary for battery housings containing a large number of battery cells to meet specific requirements regarding their system rigidity and thermal resistance. Furthermore, it is known to provide gas ducts that divert combustion gases away from the battery in the event of thermal runaway.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] Based on the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved battery and an improved battery system.

[0010] The problem is solved by a battery having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the figures.

[0011] Accordingly, a battery, preferably a vehicle battery, is proposed, comprising a housing forming a receiving volume, wherein a plurality of battery cells are accommodated in the receiving volume. Furthermore, a housing cover is provided, which closes off the housing and thus encloses the receiving volume. A gas guide chamber is provided for guiding gases as a battery cell passes through. According to the invention, the housing cover delimits the gas guide chamber.

[0012] By limiting the gas flow chamber by the housing cover, a simple structure for the gas flow chamber can be achieved. This has the structural advantage of eliminating additional components for the gas flow chamber, thus achieving a weight advantage. It also allows combustion gases to directly enter the gas flow chamber through the housing cover in the event of a thermal runaway of a cell. This ensures safe conduction of the combustion gases and reduces the risk of thermal propagation.

[0013] The housing cover can form the gas guide chamber together with a second housing cover identical to the housing cover, wherein the second housing cover can be placed mirrored on a mirror plane between the two housing covers on the housing cover closing the receiving volume and can be connected to it.

[0014] In this way, a complete gas guide chamber can be formed without requiring any parts other than the existing housing covers. Since the two housing covers are identical, they are identical parts, enabling efficient manufacturing. The housing cover can have a trough-shaped structure to form part of the gas guide chamber.

[0015] The trough-shaped structure can form the gas guide chamber together with another, identical housing cover. However, the trough-shaped structure can form at least part of the volume of the gas guide chamber.

[0016] The housing cover may have a molded-in gas outlet area which forms a gas outlet opening connected to the gas guide chamber to allow gases guided in the gas guide chamber to be discharged to the outside.

[0017] By molding the gas outlet area into the housing cover, additional parts for forming the gas outlet area are eliminated. This allows the battery to be constructed with a reduced number of parts, which can also lead to increased reliability.

[0018] The housing cover can be specifically designed in the areas where venting valves for the battery cells are located in the receiving volume so that, when a battery cell passes through, the gases escaping from the venting valve can pass into the gas guide chamber more easily in these areas than in other areas. For example, the cover can have a material weakening in these areas, which can be created, for example, by a reduced thickness, a different material, or structurally introduced weakenings such as cracks, slits, perforations, and the like.

[0019] This ensures that the combustion gases pass smoothly from the receiving volume into the gas guide chamber. The combustion gases therefore remain in the receiving volume for as short a time as possible, thus counteracting thermal propagation. Furthermore, the combustion gases can leave the receiving volume and enter the gas guide chamber via the shortest possible route, further reducing the risk of thermal propagation.

[0020] The housing cover may comprise or be formed from a composite material, wherein the composite material may be formed by an organic sheet.

[0021] In other words, the housing cover can be made from a fiber-matrix semi-finished product comprising a fiber fabric or fiber mesh embedded in a thermoplastic matrix. The fibers can be organic or inorganic fibers. In this way, the housing cover can be formed in the desired shape, is durable and weight-optimized, and can positively influence the torsional and vibration properties. When organic fibers are used, the housing cover can also be designed to be sustainable.

[0022] The receiving housing may have a temperature control base and the battery cells may be connected to the temperature control base by means of a thermally conductive adhesive.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the receiving housing has a trough-shaped receiving part for receiving the battery cells. This trough-shaped receiving part is preferably formed in one piece.

[0024] The receiving housing can further preferably comprise a temperature control base which has a further component which is attached externally to the base of the trough-shaped receiving part and thus forms a volume for guiding a cooling medium between this base and the further component. In this embodiment, the temperature control base therefore comprises the base of the trough-shaped receiving part and the further component of the receiving housing or at least parts of the further component. With such a construction, leaks which occur in the connection of the further component can advantageously not lead to cooling medium penetrating into the receiving volume to the battery cells. In this way, the cooling medium temperature-regulates the base of the trough-shaped receiving part, so that the battery cells arranged in the receiving volume within the trough-shaped receiving part can also be temperature-regulated through their thermal connection.

[0025] By connecting the battery cells to the temperature control base using the thermally conductive adhesive, both a mechanical connection of the battery cells with the housing and a thermal contact of the battery cells with the temperature control base can be achieved.

[0026] The remaining storage volume can then be filled with foam material.

[0027] The foam material can be a self-extinguishing material that allows the combustion gases escaping during a thermal runaway to burn a gas guide channel into the foam material so that they can enter the gas guide chamber through the housing cover, but on the other hand prevents the neighboring battery cells from being thermally infected.

[0028] In order to avoid electrical contact of the battery cells with the receiving housing, an electrically insulating film can be applied to the cell base of at least one battery cell, preferably to the cell bases of a plurality of battery cells or to the cell bases of all battery cells, for electrically insulating the battery cells from the receiving housing, wherein the electrically insulating film can be designed in the form of adhesive dots applied to the cell bases of the battery cells.

[0029] The adhesive dots can each cover the electrically conductive parts of the base and are preferably formed separately. In particular, the adhesive dots can be adapted to the shape of the cell base for each cell, for example, circular.

[0030] The formation only on the cell floors simplifies the handling of the battery cells during installation and reduces the material consumption for the electrically insulating film.

[0031] The above-described problem is also solved by a battery system having the features of claim 10. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the figures.

[0032] Accordingly, a battery system for providing drive energy for an electrically driven vehicle is proposed, wherein exactly two batteries according to the previous description are provided, which lie against one another at their housing covers, wherein the gas guide space is formed between the two housing covers.

[0033] This allows a battery system to be created with two batteries, forming a gas-conducting chamber, without the need for additional components. It is sufficient to provide the housing covers intended for forming the gas-conducting chamber.

[0034] Both batteries can be designed identically to each other and arranged mirrored to each other at the mirror plane formed by the contact areas of the two housing covers.

[0035] The structure proposed here makes it possible to use identical parts not only to construct a battery system but also to create a gas-conducting chamber without the use of additional parts. Both housing covers can have gas outlet areas that are aligned with each other and together form a gas outlet opening, allowing the gases contained in the gas-conducting chamber to escape to the outside.

[0036] This design allows a gas outlet opening to be formed by arranging the two batteries side by side. No additional parts are required for this either.

[0037] The two batteries can be electrically connected together to form a high-voltage system.

[0038] This means that the performance data required for the respective vehicle can be achieved by connecting the two batteries together.

[0039] A frame structure may be provided in which the batteries are accommodated and which is intended to connect the battery system to the vehicle, wherein the frame structure may be designed as a crash frame.

[0040] The frame structure enables a secure, flexible, and robust connection of the battery system to the vehicle. The frame structure provides particularly good protection for the batteries, especially when designed as a crash frame.

[0041] The batteries can be connected to the frame structure by means of their housing covers and can additionally be connected to the frame structure by means of a flange extending in the plane of the temperature control floors.

[0042] By connecting the batteries in at least two or three levels, a particularly torsionally rigid structure of the battery system can be achieved.

[0043] The battery cells of the present disclosure are not limited to a specific shape. For example, one of the battery cells may be a cylindrical cell, a so-called round cell, a prismatic cell, or a pouch cell.

[0044] Short description of the characters

[0045] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a battery system comprising two batteries for use in an electrically powered motor vehicle;

[0046] Figure 2 is a rear view of the battery system of Figure 1, with a gas outlet opening visible;

[0047] Figure 3 is a sectional view through the battery system of Figures 1 and 2, wherein in the lower battery the receiving volume is filled with battery cells and other components and of the upper battery only the empty housing is shown schematically;

[0048] Figure 4 is a perspective top view of a single battery as used in the battery system of Figures 1-3, wherein in Figure 4 the housing cover of the battery is omitted so that the battery cells accommodated in the receiving volume and other structures are visible;

[0049] Figure 5 is a perspective top view of a section of an arrangement of battery cells from above, as they are inserted into the receiving volume in Figure 4;

[0050] Figure 6 shows in a perspective view the section of the arrangement of the battery cells shown in Figure 5, but in a view from below, so that the battery cells and the further contact structures, which were visible pointing upwards in Figure 5, now point downwards and the cell bottoms of the battery cells point upwards;

[0051] Figure 7 shows a battery in a further embodiment, wherein the battery is intended for direct installation in a vehicle and provides a closed gas guide space; and

[0052] Figure 8 is a detailed view of the receiving housing accommodated in the frame structure as a sectional view of Figure 3, wherein a trough-shaped receiving part and a further component attached to it are shown, which form a volume for guiding a cooling medium.

[0053] Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0054] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements are provided with identical reference numerals in the different figures, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted to avoid redundancies. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a battery system 10 intended for installation in an electrically powered motor vehicle. The battery system 10 serves primarily to supply the electric drive of the motor vehicle with electrical energy.

[0055] The battery system 10 comprises exactly two batteries 1 which are arranged one on top of the other in reverse order in the manner described below.

[0056] The two batteries 1 serve to construct the battery system 10 and are not only mechanically connected to one another, but are also electrically interconnected in such a way that the performance data desired for the respective electrically powered motor vehicle are achieved.

[0057] For example, the battery system 10 can be configured as an 800-volt system, providing an energy capacity of 150 kilowatt-hours. The two batteries 1 can then each be designed such that they only provide the corresponding performance data when electrically connected together. A single one of the batteries 1 can accordingly be configured, for example, with an energy capacity of 75 kilowatt-hours at a voltage of 400 volts.

[0058] The electrical interconnection of the two batteries 1 to form the battery system 10 will not be discussed in detail here. The electrical connections of the two batteries 1 are shown only schematically in the form of the two electrical connections 2 each, which are designed, for example, as high-voltage connections. The electrical connections 2 of the two batteries 1 can either be electrically interconnected at the location of the battery system 10, for example via a corresponding interconnection box, or they can be interconnected at a location within the motor vehicle that is different from the battery system 10 in such a way that the desired performance data of the battery system 10 is made available to the motor vehicle.

[0059] As can be seen from Figure 1 as well as Figures 2 and 3, the two batteries 1 of the battery system 10 lie against each other or on top of each other at their respective housing covers 100. The upper of the two batteries 1 is placed on top of the lower of the two batteries 1 in an inverted orientation. In other words, the two batteries 1 are placed on top of each other in a mirror image at the mirror plane E formed by the contact area of ​​the two housing covers 100 (see Figures 2 and 3). The mirror image of the two batteries 1 at the mirror plane E and the arrangement of the two batteries 1 arranged in this inverted manner next to each other corresponds in principle to folding two halves of a book onto each other, so that the lower part of the book and the upper part of the book lie directly mirrored on top of each other.

[0060] The two batteries 1 are designed identically to each other, so that two identical batteries 1 are placed on top of each other with their housing covers 100 touching each other.

[0061] The two batteries 1 of the battery system 10 are not only mechanically connected to one another at the housing covers 100 or glued together, for example, but are also connected to one another via a frame structure 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the frame structure 3 is designed as a crash frame for the motor vehicle. The crash frame here has a honeycomb structure 30 which is designed such that it can absorb deformation forces. As a result, in the event of a motor vehicle accident, deformation energy conducted by vehicle structures (not shown here) towards the battery system 10 can be partially or completely absorbed by the honeycomb structure 30 of the frame structure 3. In this way, it can be ensured that the battery system 10 and in particular the space occupied by the batteries 1 remain undamaged for as long as possible.

[0062] The frame structure 3 can also be designed such that the battery system 10 can be connected to the structures of the motor vehicle (not shown here) by establishing a connection between the frame structure 3 and the vehicle structure. This eliminates the need to establish a direct connection between the batteries 1 or the battery system 10 and the vehicle structure; rather, a corresponding connection can be achieved via the frame structure 3. This also allows adaptation to potentially varying connection points on different motor vehicles by adapting the frame structure 3, without the batteries 1 having to be modified. In this way, the battery system 10 can be flexibly arranged in different motor vehicle types.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, for example, a step 32 can be seen in the frame structure 3, at which the outer contour of the frame structure recesses. In this way, the frame structure 3 and thus the battery system 10 can be adapted to the specified installation space in the motor vehicle. Figure 2 shows the structure of the battery system 10 shown in Figure 1 again in a view from behind of the battery system 10. It can again be clearly seen that the two batteries 1, i.e. the upper battery 1 and the lower battery 1, are identical to one another, but rest on one another at their housing covers 100 in a mirror image of one another at the mirror plane E, or inversely to one another.

[0064] The frame structure 3 with its honeycomb structure 30 is also shown and visible from behind. The step 32 visible in Figure 2 allows the view from behind to also look into the two recessed areas of the frame structure 3.

[0065] The two housing covers 100 of the two superimposed batteries 1 form a gas guide chamber 120 between them. On the rear side of the battery system 10, which is the view in Figure 2, a gas outlet opening 122 is also provided, wherein the gas outlet opening 122 is in direct communication with the gas guide chamber 120 arranged within the battery system 10 and provides an outlet from the gas guide chamber 120.

[0066] In Figure 2, the gas guide chamber 120 can be seen schematically through the gas outlet opening 122. The gas guide chamber 120 serves to guide combustion gases that arise during thermal runaway of a battery cell and to direct them out of the battery system 10 through the gas outlet opening 122.

[0067] Figure 2 also shows coolant connections 150, wherein the coolant connections 150 are provided for introducing a coolant or a temperature control medium into a temperature control base of the respective batteries 1 or for removing it from the latter.

[0068] Figure 8 shows an enlarged section of Figure 3 to illustrate exemplary details of the temperature control base 136. The receiving housing 132 has a trough-shaped receiving part 133 for receiving the battery cells not shown in Figure 8.

[0069] This trough-shaped receiving part 133 can in principle be designed in several parts, but is preferably designed in one piece as shown.

[0070] The temperature control base 136 has a further component 139, which is attached externally to the base 137 of the trough-shaped receiving part 133 and thus forms a volume 140 for guiding a cooling medium between this base 137 and the further component 139. In this embodiment, the temperature control base 136 thus comprises the base 137 of the trough-shaped receiving part and at least the part of the further component 139 of the receiving housing 132 that forms the volume, or the entire further component 139.

[0071] With such a construction, any leaks that occur in the connection between the further component 139 and the base 137 can advantageously not lead to cooling medium penetrating into the receiving volume 130 to the battery cells not shown in Figure 8. Figure 3 shows a sectional view through the battery system 10, wherein it can be clearly seen that the two batteries 1 are placed on top of each other in a mirrored manner at the mirror plane E, which is formed by the contact areas of the two superimposed battery covers 100.

[0072] The gas guide chamber 120 is formed between the housing covers 100 of the two batteries 1 of the battery system 10. The two housing covers 100 of the two batteries 1 of the battery system 10, which lie on top of each other at the housing covers 100, form the gas guide chamber 120 between them, without the need for additional structural components to form the gas guide chamber 120.

[0073] For this purpose, as can be seen in Figure 3, the housing covers 100 of the batteries 1 are designed identically to one another. The housing covers 100 have a trough-shaped structure that forms a flat trough, with the two flat troughs of the superimposed housing covers 100 then forming the volume of the gas guide chamber 120.

[0074] The housing covers 100 each have an edge region 110 on which they rest against one another. The contact areas of the two superimposed housing covers 100 therefore also form the mirror plane E. Starting from the respective edge region 110, the deep-drawn, trough-shaped structure is provided, which delimits the gas guide chamber 120.

[0075] The batteries 1 each have a receiving housing 132, which in the illustrated embodiments is also trough-shaped. The receiving housing 132 has an edge region 134 extending outwardly and onto which the edge region 110 of the housing cover 100 is placed. The edge region 110 of the housing cover 100 in combination with the edge region 134 of the receiving housing 132 result in an outwardly directed mounting flange 112, by means of which the respective battery 1 can be connected to the frame structure 3. The receiving housing 132 together with the housing cover 100 form a closed receiving volume 130 in which the internal structure of the battery 1 is accommodated.

[0076] The receiving housing 132 has a temperature control base 136 in its lower region, which serves to control the temperature of the receiving volume 130 and in particular to control the temperature of battery cells 4 accommodated in the receiving volume 130. As can be seen in Figure 2, coolant connections 150 are provided, with which temperature control fluid can be introduced into the temperature control base 136 and discharged therefrom again, so that it flows through the temperature control base 136 and thus enables temperature control of the receiving volume 130.

[0077] Extending outward in the plane of the temperature control base 136 is a flange 138, which is provided for connecting the battery 1 to the frame structure 3. The flange 138 is accordingly part of the receiving housing 132 and, just like the temperature control base 136, is molded into the receiving housing 132.

[0078] The flange 138 at the level of the temperature control base 136, together with the flange 110 at the level of the housing cover 100, provides a connection intended for connecting the battery 1 to the frame structure 3. By connecting the battery 1 in at least two levels, a torsion-resistant structure can be achieved.

[0079] If both batteries 1 are stacked on top of each other, as shown in Figures 1-3, the connection even takes place in three superimposed levels, because the battery 1 placed on top also has such a flange 138 at the level of its temperature control base 136. This allows a particularly torsion-resistant connection of the two batteries 1 to the frame structure 3 to be achieved, thus providing a mechanically particularly structurally stable battery system 10 for installation in a motor vehicle.

[0080] Figure 3 also shows the internal structure of the batteries 1 in the lower battery 1. This internal structure in the lower battery 1 is identical (and mirrored in the figure) to the upper battery 1, but is not shown here.

[0081] Battery cells 4 are located in the lower of the two batteries 1 upright in the receiving volume

[0082] 130, so that their poles 40, 42 point upward. The cell bottoms 44 of the battery cells 4 are connected in the region of the temperature control base 136 in the receiving volume 130, so that the battery cells 4 with their cell bottoms 44 can be thermally influenced by the temperature control base 136.

[0083] The battery cells 4 are connected by their cell bottoms 44 to the temperature control base 136 via a thermally conductive adhesive 50. The thermally conductive adhesive 50 is received in the trough-shaped receiving housing 132, and the battery cells 4, typically pre-formatted in cell packs 400, are placed into this thermally conductive adhesive 50 in order to achieve a full-surface connection of the cell bottoms 44 of the battery cells 4 to the temperature control base 136. The thermally conductive adhesive 50 can partially rise upwards around the battery cells 4, so that parts of the side walls 46 of the battery cells can also come into contact with the thermally conductive adhesive 50.

[0084] The receiving volume 130 can further be completely filled with a foam material 52, wherein the foam material 52 is ideally a self-extinguishing foam material, which, in the event of a thermal runaway of a battery cell 4, ensures that the hot combustion gases do not affect or even infect the adjacent battery cells 4. In this way, thermal propagation within the battery 1 can be avoided.

[0085] The foam material 52 can be designed in such a way that it enables the formation of an exhaust channel above a venting valve 48 of the battery cell 4 when the battery cell 4 thermally breaks through and the venting valve 48 opens. The hot gas jet then exits the venting valve 48 and melts an exhaust channel into the foam material 52, so that the gases are directed toward the housing cover 100. At the same time, however, the foam material 5 prevents the gases from impinging on neighboring battery cells 4, thus preventing them from spreading to the adjacent battery cells 4.

[0086] The housing cover 100 is designed such that it has a weakened area above the venting valves 48 of the battery cells 4, which, in the event of a thermal runaway, causes the escaping hot gases to melt or create a hole or opening in the housing cover 100, so that the hot gases can enter from the receiving volume 130 into the gas guide space 120 located above.

[0087] In other words, the housing cover 100 is designed such that, in the event of thermal runaway and the escape of hot gases from the affected battery cell 4, it allows this gas jet to pass into the gas guide chamber 120. This prevents, on the one hand, an uncontrolled buildup of excess pressure in the receiving volume 130 of the battery 1, which could lead to uncontrolled expansion or an explosion of the battery housing. On the other hand, the provision of the material weakening in the housing cover 100 above the venting valve 48 of the battery cell 4 ensures that the escaping hot gas jet can be guided directly above the venting valve 48 into the gas guide chamber 120, i.e., without detours, so that any spread to neighboring battery cells 4 can be prevented as best as possible.

[0088] The housing cover 100 can be made of an organic sheet in which organic or inorganic fibers, such as continuous glass fibers, are embedded in a plastic resin to create a composite component. The housing cover 100 can thus be formed in the desired shape, is durable and weight-optimized, and can positively influence the torsional and vibration properties.

[0089] The receiving volume 130 is accordingly completely filled, firstly by the thermally conductive adhesive 50, which is arranged at the bottom of the receiving housing 132, in which the cell bottoms 44 of the battery cells 4 are located. Secondly, the remaining receiving volume 130 around the battery cells 4 is then filled with the foam material 52, which completely fills the remaining space up to the housing cover 100.

[0090] The poles 40, 42 of the battery cells 4 are connected to one another via a cell contact system 6, wherein this cell contact system 6 is also completely enclosed by the display material 52.

[0091] Accordingly, there is hardly any air volume left in the 130 cm recording volume, ideally no air volume at all, but it is completely filled.

[0092] Figure 4 shows how the battery cells 4 are interconnected by means of the cell contact system 6 in such a way that the desired performance data of the battery 1 are achieved. For this purpose, individual battery cells 4 are connected either in parallel or in series to achieve the desired performance data for the battery 1 when all battery cells 4 are later interconnected.

[0093] Figure 4 schematically indicates that individual battery cells 4 are provided in preconfigured cell packs 400, wherein the cell packs 400 are preconfigured according to both the space requirement within the receiving housing 132 and the corresponding performance data.

[0094] The individual cell packs 400 can, as also schematically indicated in Figure 4, be connected to one another via cell pack connectors 60 in such a way that the individual cell contacting systems 6 are interconnected via the cell pack connectors 60 in such a way that the desired performance data are ultimately present at the battery terminals 2.

[0095] Furthermore, the receiving housing 132 has a molded-in gas outlet region 124 at its rear end shown in Figure 4, which is also molded in the same way into the cover 100 (not shown in Figure 4). When the two batteries 1 are placed on top of one another, the gas outlet regions 124 together form the gas outlet opening 122, which is shown, for example, in Figure 2.

[0096] In Figure 5, the structure of the battery cells 4, which are each contacted with each other via the cell contacting system 6, with cell pack connectors 60 connecting the individual cell packs 400 with each other, is shown schematically again.

[0097] In Figure 6, the battery cells 4 shown in Figure 5 are shown with the cell pack connector 60 from below, so that the cell bottoms 44 point upwards in Figure 6.

[0098] To ensure secure assembly and prevent the battery cells 4 from coming into electrical contact with the receiving housing 132, an electrically insulating film 7 is applied to the cell bottoms 44. In other words, a foil dot made of the electrically insulating film 7 is applied to each cell bottom 44, which enables electrical insulation of the individual battery cell 4 at its cell bottom 44.

[0099] In this way, it is possible to place the preconfigured cell packs 400, each of which has the electrically insulating film 7 applied to the cell base 44 in the form of adhesive dots, directly into the receiving housing 132 if the thermally conductive adhesive 50 is first introduced there, without running the risk of an electrical connection being established between the battery cells 4 and the receiving housing 132.

[0100] Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a battery 1 which has an identical structure to the batteries 1 of the previous embodiment, which was shown, for example, in Figures 1-4. However, a stand-alone housing cover 102 is applied to the cover 100 of the battery 1. This housing cover 102 is identical to the housing cover 100 of the battery 1, but unlike the battery system 10 described above, does not belong to a second battery, but is designed separately. In other words, the housing cover 102 corresponds to the housing cover of the upper battery 1 from Figure 1 placed on top of the battery 1, but without all the other parts of this upper placed battery.

[0101] A gas guide chamber 120 is again formed between the housing cover 100 of the battery 1 and the stand-alone housing cover 102. The gas guide chamber 120 can discharge combustion gases that have collected in the gas guide chamber 120 from the battery 1 via a gas outlet opening 122.

[0102] In this way, the battery 1 can also be used individually, for example, when a different power requirement exists in an electric vehicle, which corresponds, for example, to half the power requirements of the previously described battery system 10. In the present case, if the battery system 10 from Figure 1 is designed as an 800-volt system with an energy content of 150 kilowatt hours, the individual battery 1 from Figure 7 can, for example, be designed as a 400-volt system with an energy content of 75 kilowatt hours.

[0103] This allows for modular use of battery 1 and allows it to meet at least two different power requirements. Additional components for the gas flow chamber are not necessary.

[0104] Where applicable, all individual features presented in the embodiments may be combined and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0105] List of reference symbols

[0106] 1 battery

[0107] 10 Battery system

[0108] 100 housing covers

[0109] 102 stand-alone housing cover

[0110] 110 Edge area

[0111] 112 Mounting flange

[0112] 120 Gas supply room

[0113] 122 Gas outlet opening

[0114] 124 Gas outlet area

[0115] 130 recording volume

[0116] 132 housings

[0117] 133 tub-shaped receiving part

[0118] 134 Marginal area

[0119] 136 Tempered floor

[0120] 137 Bottom of the tub-shaped receiving part

[0121] 138 flange

[0122] 139 Additional component of the housing

[0123] 140 volume for guiding a cooling medium

[0124] 150 coolant connection

[0125] 2 electrical connection

[0126] 3 Frame structure

[0127] 30 honeycomb structure

[0128] 32 level

[0129] 4 battery cells

[0130] 40 pole of the battery cell

[0131] 42 pole of the battery cell

[0132] 44 Cell floor

[0133] 46 Side wall of the battery cell

[0134] 48 Venting valve

[0135] 400 cell pack

[0136] 50 thermally conductive adhesive

[0137] 52 foam material

[0138] 6 cell contact system 60 cell pack connectors

[0139] 7 electrically insulating foil

[0140] E mirror plane

Claims

Claims 1. Battery (1), preferably a vehicle battery, with a receiving housing (132) forming a receiving volume (130), wherein a plurality of battery cells (4) are received in the receiving volume (130), and with a housing cover (100) which closes off the receiving housing (132) and thus encloses the receiving volume (130), wherein a gas guiding space (120) is provided for guiding gases when a battery cell (4) passes through, characterized in that the housing cover (100) delimits the gas guiding space (120).

2. Battery (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing cover (100) together with a second housing cover (100, 102) identical to the housing cover (100) forms the gas guide space (120), wherein the second housing cover (100, 102) is preferably placed mirrored on the housing cover (100) at a mirror plane (E) between the two housing covers (100, 102) and is connected to the latter.

3. Battery (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing cover (100) forms a trough-shaped structure to form part of the gas guide space (120).

4. Battery (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing cover (100) has a molded-in gas outlet region (124) which forms a gas outlet opening (124) connected to the gas guide space (120) in order to enable gases guided in the gas guide space (120) to be discharged to the outside.

5. Battery (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing cover (100) has a material weakening in the areas in which venting valves (48) of the battery cells (4) are arranged in the receiving volume (130), which material weakening allows the gases emerging from the venting valve (48) to pass into the gas guide space (120) when a battery cell (4) passes through.

6. Battery (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing cover (100) comprises or is formed from a composite material, wherein the composite material can be formed by an organic sheet.

7. Battery (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving housing (132) has a temperature control base (136) and the battery cells (4) are connected to the temperature control base (136) by means of a thermally conductive adhesive (50).

8. Battery (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the remaining receiving volume (130) is filled with foam material (52).

9. Battery (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrically insulating film (7) is applied to the cell bottom (44) of at least one battery cell (4), preferably to the cell bottoms (44) of one of the plurality of battery cells (4) or to the cell bottoms (44) of all battery cells (4) for electrically insulating the battery cells (4) from the receiving housing (132), wherein the electrically insulating film (7) is preferably designed in the form of adhesive dots applied to the cell bottoms (44) of the battery cells (4).

10. Battery system (10) for providing drive energy for an electrically powered vehicle, wherein exactly two batteries (1) according to one of the preceding claims are provided, which abut one another at their housing covers (100), wherein the gas guide space (120) is formed between the two housing covers (100).

11. Battery system (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that both batteries (1) are designed identically to one another and are arranged mirrored to one another at the mirror plane (E) formed by the contact areas of the two housing covers (100).

12. Battery system (10) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that both housing covers (100) have gas outlet regions (124) which are arranged aligned with one another and which together form a gas outlet opening (122) which enables gases guided in the gas guide space (120) to escape to the outside.

13. Battery system (10) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the two batteries (1) are electrically connected together to form a high-voltage system.

14. Battery system (10) according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that a frame structure (3) is provided in which the batteries (1) are accommodated and the for connecting the battery system (10) to the vehicle, wherein the frame structure (3) is preferably designed as a crash frame.

15. Battery system (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that the batteries (1) are connected to the frame structure (3) by means of their housing covers (100) and are preferably additionally connected to the frame structure (3) by means of a flange (138) extending in the plane of the temperature control bases (136).

Images