Clamping device for installing a battery module having at least one battery cell stack, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping device (1) for installing a battery module having at least one battery cell stack, comprising: - two oppositely arranged longitudinal boundaries (2, 3) for clamping a battery cell stack in the longitudinal direction (L) of the clamping device (1), - wherein each longitudinal boundary (2, 3) has a contact surface (J) with respect to a battery cell stack, - two oppositely arranged transverse boundaries (4, 5) for laterally guiding a battery cell stack in the transverse direction (Q) of the clamping device (1), - wherein each transverse boundary (4, 5) has a contact surface (K) with respect to a battery cell stack, - wherein the longitudinal boundaries (2, 3) and the transverse boundaries (4, 5) are arranged relative to one another such that their contact surfaces (J, K) form the inner sides of the clamping device (1), - wherein at least one longitudinal boundary (2, 3) is in the form of a deformed sheet-metal part, and / or - wherein at least one transverse boundary (4, 5) comprises at least one opening (14) for weight reduction purposes. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a clamping device.

Description

[0001] Clamping device for mounting a battery module with at least one battery cell stack and motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a clamping device for mounting a battery module with at least one battery cell stack and to a motor vehicle with a clamping device.

[0003] Known clamping devices encompass battery cell stacks within a battery module, consisting of two lateral tie rods or transverse restraints and two end plates or longitudinal restraints. The longitudinal restraints are designed as post-machined forged parts.

[0004] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device for mounting a battery module with at least one battery cell stack and / or a motor vehicle, which can be manufactured in a cost-effective, material-saving and / or weight-saving manner.

[0005] This problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention comprises a clamping device for mounting a battery module with at least one battery cell stack. A battery module can be composed of several battery cell stacks, and the clamping device can be used to clamp the entire battery module as well as to clamp the individual battery cell stacks together.

[0007] The clamping device comprises two opposing longitudinal restraints for clamping a battery cell stack in the longitudinal direction of the clamping device. Each longitudinal restraint has a contact surface with a battery cell stack and / or a battery module.

[0008] Furthermore, the clamping device comprises two opposing transverse restraints for the lateral guidance of a battery cell stack in the transverse direction of the clamping device. Each transverse restraint has a contact surface with a battery cell stack and / or a battery module. The longitudinal restraints and the transverse restraints are arranged relative to each other such that their contact surfaces form the inner surfaces of the clamping device and / or the clamping device itself, which is designed as a square tube.

[0009] In this design, at least one longitudinal boundary, or at least one of the two opposing longitudinal boundaries, is formed from a formed sheet metal part. This allows the clamping device to be manufactured simply, and therefore cost-effectively and with reduced weight.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, at least one transverse boundary, or at least one of the two opposing transverse boundaries, includes at least one recess for weight reduction. This allows the clamping device to be manufactured simply, and therefore cost-effectively and with reduced weight.

[0011] Furthermore, at least one of the longitudinal boundaries may have at least one stiffening device for stiffening the longitudinal boundary.

[0012] The at least one stiffening device can be designed as a recess or a groove in the longitudinal boundary. Furthermore, the at least one stiffening device can have an oval or rectangular base shape on the contact surface of the longitudinal boundary, or a rectangular base shape with a circular arc on each of its short sides.

[0013] Furthermore, the at least one stiffening element on the contact surface can be designed as a recess. Alternatively, the at least one stiffening element on the side surface opposite the contact surface can be designed as a raised section or a projection.

[0014] Furthermore, two stiffening devices can have different lengths.

[0015] Furthermore, two stiffening devices can be aligned in the same direction. Both approaches can increase stiffness against bending.

[0016] Furthermore, two stiffening elements can extend along at least one of the longitudinal boundaries. This extension can be longitudinal and / or transverse to the longitudinal boundary and / or in the transverse direction and / or diagonally across the longitudinal boundary and / or in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. The inclusion of at least one stiffening element primarily offers a material-saving and therefore weight-saving advantage, resulting in a more cost-effective manufacturing process for the clamping device.

[0017] Furthermore, at least one of the longitudinal limits may be curved or convex to generate a preload on a battery cell stack inside the clamping device and / or on a battery module. The contact surface of the longitudinal limit may have a curved or convex shape to generate a preload on a battery cell stack and / or on a battery module inside the clamping device. Thus, the correct preload can be set simply by the geometry or geometric design of at least one of the longitudinal limits. This means that after correct assembly of the longitudinal and transverse limits, the correct preload is already established.

[0018] Furthermore, in a state prior to clamping a battery cell stack and / or a battery module inside the clamping device, at least one of the longitudinal boundaries can have a curved or convex shape such that the deformation resulting from clamping a battery cell stack and / or a battery module inside the clamping device is eliminated. This allows for visual verification of the correct position and clamping of a battery cell stack and / or a battery module.

[0019] Furthermore, at least one of the longitudinal limits, or at least one of the longitudinal limits in a state where a battery cell stack is clamped inside the clamping device, can have a flat shape and / or a flat contact surface. This allows for visual verification of the correct position and clamping of a battery cell stack.

[0020] Furthermore, the at least one recess can penetrate at least one of the transverse boundaries and / or the contact surface of at least one of the transverse boundaries.

[0021] Inserts or at least one insert can be arranged in the at least one recess. Furthermore, the inserts or the at least one insert in the at least one recess can be made of plastic or a material lighter than the material of the structure forming the at least one recess. This allows for stiffening and mechanical stabilization with reduced weight.

[0022] Furthermore, the inserts or at least one insert can be precisely tailored to fit the at least one recess or can be arranged in the at least one recess.

[0023] It is also possible that the at least one recess is filled and / or injected with plastic or a material lighter than the material of the structure forming the at least one recess. This allows for cost-effective and / or rapid manufacturing of the clamping device.

[0024] Furthermore, at least one of the transverse boundaries can have a truss structure with at least one recess. Such structures are easy to manufacture and simultaneously stable.

[0025] At least one of the transverse boundaries, or the transverse boundary and / or the truss structure, can incorporate flat bars and / or flat profiles as truss members. The truss members and / or the flat bars and / or flat profiles can be overmolded with plastic. This allows for cost-effective and / or rapid manufacturing of the clamping device.

[0026] Furthermore, at least one recess between the truss girders and / or in the truss structure can be filled with plastic or a material lighter than the material of the truss structure. This also enables cost-effective and / or rapid production of the clamping device.

[0027] Furthermore, at least one of the longitudinal boundaries may have an interface on the side surface opposite the contact surface for clamping a battery cell stack and / or a battery module during assembly, an interface for bolting the clamping device to a vehicle, and / or an interface for at least one welded connection between the longitudinal boundary and a transverse boundary. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the transverse boundaries may have an interface on its short sides for clamping the battery cell stack and / or the battery module during assembly, an interface for bolting the clamping device to a vehicle, and / or an interface for at least one welded connection between the transverse boundary and a longitudinal boundary.

[0028] Furthermore, at least one of the longitudinal boundaries and / or at least one of the transverse boundaries can be designed as a formed sheet metal part or be formed from a formed sheet metal part.

[0029] At least one of the longitudinal boundaries and / or at least one of the transverse boundaries may have been created by sheet metal forming.

[0030] The longitudinal and / or transverse boundaries may be made of metal.

[0031] Furthermore, at least one of the transverse boundaries can have a cross-section that is almost constant over the longitudinal extent.

[0032] Furthermore, each longitudinal boundary can form a flat side wall of the clamping device or a square or rectangular side wall of the clamping device.

[0033] Each transverse boundary can also form a flat side wall of the clamping device, or a square or rectangular side wall of the clamping device.

[0034] Furthermore, the clamping device can form a rectangular frame and / or a bottomless tub-like frame, i.e., for example, a tub-like frame without a tub bottom.

[0035] Furthermore, the longitudinal and transverse boundaries can be arranged in such a way as to form a square tube or an arrangement similar to a square tube.

[0036] A second aspect of the present invention comprises a motor vehicle. It is expressly pointed out that the features of the clamping device, as mentioned under the first aspect, can be used individually or in combination with one another in the motor vehicle.

[0037] In other words, the features relating to the clamping device mentioned above under the first aspect of the invention can also be combined with further features under the second aspect of the invention.

[0038] A motor vehicle, such as a truck, has at least one clamping device according to the first aspect.

[0039] Several clamping devices can be arranged horizontally next to each other and / or vertically one above the other. This allows for consideration of available space and external installation space constraints, enabling the clamping devices to be arranged and / or distributed in a space-saving manner and / or ideally for the weight distribution of the vehicle.

[0040] The invention concept presented above is expressed again and in addition in other words below.

[0041] This concept – in simplified terms – concerns a clamping device for mounting a battery module with at least one battery cell stack, which may consist of prismatic cells. By design, battery cells, or rather their active components, must be pre-tensioned in the direction of the stack (anode, separator, cathode), whereby both falling below and exceeding a certain operating range can impair the performance of the battery cells or even damage them.

[0042] The clamping device can include longitudinal and transverse limits, with at least one of the longitudinal limits being designed as a sheet metal design.

[0043] At least one of the longitudinal boundaries can have a contact surface for the battery cell stack and / or the battery module, at least one interface for clamping the battery cell stack and / or the battery module during assembly, at least one screw connection point, and at least one interface for a weld connection with a transverse boundary. Furthermore, at least one of the transverse boundaries can have a weight-optimized design through suitable interruptions or recesses in areas not subject to stress. These recesses can also be filled with plastic inserts (mounted as separate components, overmolded, etc.).

[0044] Furthermore, the side or contact surface facing a battery cell stack of at least one of the longitudinal boundaries may not be flat. Instead, it may be designed such that any deformation in the assembled state is pre-compensated by a suitable shape in the unloaded state. This shape may be essentially convex in the direction of the battery cell stack and / or the battery module, whereby the convex shape may be one-dimensional or designed in multiple directions.

[0045] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These schematically show:

[0046] Fig. 1 shows a spatial view of a clamping device according to a first embodiment;

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a spatial view of a clamping device according to a second embodiment;

[0048] Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal limit before the clamping device is tightened; and

[0049] Fig. 4 shows the longitudinal limit from Figure 3 after the clamping device has been tightened.

[0050] In the following description, the same reference symbols are used for the same objects.

[0051] Figure 1 shows a spatial view of a clamping device 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0052] Figure 1 shows a clamping device 1 for mounting a battery module with at least one battery cell stack (not shown). The clamping device 1 has two opposing longitudinal boundaries 2, 3 for clamping a battery cell stack in the longitudinal direction L of the clamping device 1. Each longitudinal boundary 2, 3 comprises a contact surface J with a battery cell stack. In addition, each longitudinal boundary 2, 3 forms a planar side wall of the clamping device 1, or a square or rectangular side wall of the clamping device 1.

[0053] Furthermore, the clamping device 1 has two opposing transverse restraints 4, 5 for laterally guiding a battery cell stack in the transverse direction Q of the clamping device 1. Each transverse restraint 4, 5 has a contact surface K with a battery cell stack. In addition, each transverse restraint 4, 5 forms a planar side wall of the clamping device 1, or a square or rectangular side wall of the clamping device 1. Furthermore, each transverse restraint 4, 5 has a cross-section that is almost constant over its longitudinal extent L.

[0054] As shown in Figure 1, the longitudinal boundaries 2, 3 and the transverse boundaries 4, 5 are arranged relative to each other such that their contact surfaces J, K form the inner sides of the clamping device 1. The clamping device 1 forms a rectangular frame or a bottomless, trough-like frame.

[0055] Furthermore, the longitudinal boundaries 2, 3 are each formed as a formed sheet metal part. In other words, the longitudinal boundaries 2, 3 are formed from a formed sheet metal part. Put another way, each longitudinal boundary 2, 3 was created by sheet metal forming. This applies analogously to the transverse boundaries 4, 5.

[0056] As shown in Figure 1, the longitudinal boundaries 2, 3 have several stiffening devices 6, 7 for stiffening the longitudinal boundaries 2, 3. Each stiffening device 6, 7 is designed as a recess or a groove in a longitudinal boundary 2, 3. In addition, each stiffening device 6, 7 has an oval or rectangular base shape on the contact surface J of the longitudinal boundary 2, 3, with a circular arc on each of its short sides.

[0057] Furthermore, Figure 1 shows that the stiffening devices 6, 7 on the side of the contact surface J are designed as a recess, while the stiffening devices 6, 7 on the side surface opposite the contact surface J are logically designed as a protrusion or a projection.

[0058] Looking at the longitudinal boundary 3 in Figure 1, it is noticeable that two stiffening elements 6, 7 have different lengths and are aligned in the same direction. The two stiffening elements 6, 7 extend along the longitudinal boundary 3, or in the transverse direction Q. The same applies to the longitudinal boundary 2.

[0059] Furthermore, Figure 1 shows that each longitudinal boundary 2, 3 has an interface 10, 11 on the side surface opposite the contact surface J for clamping a battery cell stack during assembly, an interface 8, 9 for screwing the clamping device 1 to a vehicle and an interface 12, 13 for a welded connection of the longitudinal boundary 2, 3 to a transverse boundary 4, 5.

[0060] Furthermore, each transverse boundary 4, 5 has an interface 15, 16 on its short sides for a welded connection of the transverse boundary 4, 5 to a longitudinal boundary 2, 3. Figure 2 shows a spatial view of a clamping device 1 according to a second embodiment.

[0061] To avoid unnecessary repetition, it should be noted that the descriptions of the first embodiment according to Figure 1 also apply to the second embodiment according to Figure 2. Furthermore, reference numerals from Figure 1 are not repeated in Figure 2 to improve clarity. Building on this, Figure 2 shows that the transverse boundaries 4, 5 also have recesses 14 for weight reduction. These recesses 14 penetrate the transverse boundaries 4, 5 and their contact surfaces K.

[0062] Each recess 14 can contain an insert. The inserts can be made of plastic or a material lighter than the material of the structure forming the recesses 14. Alternatively, the recesses 14 can be filled and / or injection-molded with plastic or a material lighter than the material of the structure forming the recesses 14. The inserts can be precisely fitted to the respective recess 14 or be arranged in any recess 14.

[0063] In other words, as described in Figure 2, each transverse boundary 4, 5 has a truss construction with recesses 14.

[0064] Each transverse boundary has 4, 5, or the truss structure has flat bars or flat profiles as truss girders. These can be overmolded with plastic. The recesses 14 between the truss girders or in the truss structure can also be filled with plastic or with a material lighter than the material of the truss structure.

[0065] Figure 3 shows a longitudinal limit 2 before the clamping device 1 is tightened, whereas Figure 4 shows the longitudinal limit from Figure 3 after the clamping device 1 has been tightened.

[0066] According to Figure 3, the longitudinal boundary 2 is curved or convex in order to create a preload on a battery cell stack inside the clamping device 1.

[0067] In other words, the contact surface J of the longitudinal boundary 2 has a curved or convex shape to generate a preload on a battery cell stack inside the clamping device 1.

[0068] Thus, according to Figure 3, in a state before clamping a battery cell stack inside the clamping device 1, the longitudinal boundary 2 has such a curved or convex shape that, according to Figure 4, the associated deformation is lost when clamping a battery cell stack inside the clamping device 1.

[0069] As shown in Figure 4, the longitudinal limit 2 has a flat shape, or a flat contact surface J, in a state where a battery cell stack is clamped inside the clamping device 1. The forces that cause the longitudinal limit 2 to have this flat shape are indicated by arrows.

[0070] For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the presented clamping device 1 can be used in a motor vehicle or a truck. Several clamping devices 1 can be arranged horizontally next to each other and / or vertically one above the other. (Reference symbol list)

[0071] 1 clamping device

[0072] 2 Longitudinal limit

[0073] 3 Longitudinal limit

[0074] 4 Cross-border

[0075] 5 transverse boundary

[0076] 6 Stiffening device

[0077] 7 Stiffening device

[0078] 8 Interface for bolting the clamping device to a vehicle 9 Interface for bolting the clamping device to a vehicle 10 Interface for clamping a battery cell stack

[0079] 11 Interface for clamping a battery cell stack

[0080] 12 Interface for a welded connection of the longitudinal boundary to a transverse boundary

[0081] 13 Interface for a welded connection of the longitudinal boundary to a transverse boundary

[0082] 14 recess

[0083] 15 Interface for a welded connection of the transverse boundary to a longitudinal boundary

[0084] 16 Interface for a welded connection of the transverse boundary to a longitudinal boundary

[0085] L Longitudinal direction of the clamping device

[0086] Q Transverse direction of the clamping device

Claims

Patent claims 1. Clamping device (1 ) for mounting a battery module comprising at least one battery cell stack: - two opposing longitudinal limits (2, 3) for clamping a battery cell stack in the longitudinal direction (L) of the clamping device (1), - wherein each longitudinal limit (2, 3) has a contact surface (J) to a battery cell stack, - two opposite transverse restraints (4, 5) for the lateral guidance of a battery cell stack in the transverse direction (Q) of the clamping device (1), - wherein each transverse restraint (4, 5) has a contact surface (K) for a battery cell stack, - wherein the longitudinal limits (2, 3) and the transverse limits (4, 5) are arranged relative to each other such that their contact surfaces (J, K) form the inner sides of the clamping device (1), characterized by the fact that - at least one longitudinal boundary (2, 3) is formed as a formed sheet metal part, and / or that - includes at least one transverse boundary (4, 5) and at least one recess (14) for weight reduction.

2. Clamping device according to claim 1, - wherein at least one of the longitudinal boundaries (2, 3) has at least one stiffening device (6, 7) for stiffening the longitudinal boundary (2, 3), - wherein the at least one stiffening device (6, 7) is designed as a recess or as a groove in the longitudinal boundary (2, 3), and / or- wherein two stiffening devices (6, 7) have a course in at least one of the longitudinal boundaries (2, 3) which extends longitudinally and / or transversely to the longitudinal boundary (2, 3) and / or diagonally on the longitudinal boundary (2, 3).

3. Clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, - wherein at least one of the longitudinal boundaries (2, 3) is curved or convex in order to generate a preload on a battery cell stack inside the clamping device (1), and / or - wherein the contact surface (J) of the longitudinal boundary (2, 3) has a curved or convex shape to generate a preload on a battery cell stack inside the clamping device (1).

4. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein, in a state prior to clamping a battery cell stack inside the clamping device (1), at least one of the longitudinal boundaries (2, 3) has a curved or convex shape such that the associated deformation is lost when clamping a battery cell stack inside the clamping device (1), and - wherein the longitudinal boundary (2, 3) or at least one of the longitudinal boundaries (2, 3) has a planar shape and / or a planar contact surface (J) in a state in which a battery cell stack is clamped inside the clamping device (1).

5. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the at least one recess (14) penetrates at least one of the transverse boundaries (4, 5) and / or the contact surface (K) penetrates at least one of the transverse boundaries (4, 5).

6. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein at least one insert is arranged in the at least one recess (14), and - wherein the at least one insert in the at least one recess (14) is made of plastic or a material lighter than the material of the construction forming the at least one recess (14).

7. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein at least one of the transverse boundaries (4, 5) has a truss structure with at least one recess (14).

8. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein at least one of the transverse boundaries (4, 5) and / or the truss structure has flat bars and / or flat profiles as truss girders, and - wherein the truss girders and / or the flat bars and / or flat profiles are overmolded with plastic.

9. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein at least one recess (14) between the truss girders and / or in the truss structure is filled with plastic or with a material lighter than the material of the truss structure.

10. Motor vehicle: - at least one clamping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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