阅读说明：本技术 具有多个电池单体的电池模块和用于制造这种电池模块的方法 (Battery module having a plurality of battery cells and method for producing such a battery module ) 是由 F·戈特瓦尔德 R·格勒姆泽 于 2021-05-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种电池模块,其具有多个电池单体(2)、尤其是锂离子电池单体(20),所述电池单体分别导电地串联和/或并联地相互接线,并且该电池模块具有开关装置(3),所述开关装置具有第一端子(31)和第二端子(32),其中导电地构造的第一连接元件(41)将第一端子(31)导电地与布置在末端的电池单体(2、21)的电压分接头(5)连接,并且导电地构造的第二连接元件(42)将第二端子(32)导电地与电池模块(1)的电压分接头(6)连接,其中第一连接元件(41)和/或第二连接元件(42)导热地容纳在电池模块(1)的壳体(10)的容纳部(7、71、72)中。(The invention relates to a battery module having a plurality of battery cells (2), in particular lithium-ion battery cells (20), which are each electrically conductively connected to one another in series and/or in parallel, and having a switching device (3) having a first terminal (31) and a second terminal (32), wherein an electrically conductively configured first connecting element (41) electrically conductively connects the first terminal (31) to a voltage tap (5) of a battery cell (2, 21) arranged at the end, and an electrically conductively configured second connecting element (42) electrically conductively connects the second terminal (32) to a voltage tap (6) of the battery module (1), wherein the first connecting element (41) and/or the second connecting element (42) are/is thermally conductively accommodated in an accommodation region (7, 7) of a housing (10) of the battery module (1), 71. 72).)

1. Battery module having a plurality of battery cells (2), in particular lithium ion battery cells (20), which are each electrically conductively connected to one another in series and/or in parallel, and having a switching device (3) having a first terminal (31) and a second terminal (32), wherein an electrically conductively designed first connecting element (41) electrically conductively connects the first terminal (31) to a voltage tap (5) of a battery cell (2, 21) arranged at the end, and an electrically conductively designed second connecting element (42) electrically conductively connects the second terminal (32) to a voltage tap (6) of the battery module (1), characterized in that the first connecting element (41) and/or the second connecting element (42) are/is thermally conductively accommodated in an accommodation region (7) of a housing (10) of the battery module (1), 71. 72).

2. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an electrically conductively configured compensation material (8) is accommodated in the receptacle (7).

3. The battery module according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the receptacle (7) is configured on a side face (91) of a housing (10) of the battery module (1) or the receptacle (7) is configured on a bottom face (92) of the housing (10) of the battery module (1).

4. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that the receptacle (7) has an opening (73, 74) with a cross section (75, 76) arranged perpendicular to the side face (91) or parallel to the bottom face (92).

5. The battery module according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the battery module (1) further comprises a retaining element (11) which is arranged between the receptacle (7) and the first connecting element (41) or between the receptacle (7) and the second connecting element (42).

6. The battery module according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first connecting element (41) and the second connecting element (42) are composed of a material selected from copper or aluminum or ceramic.

7. The battery module according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the housing (10) of the battery module (1) comprises a temperature conditioning element.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that the receptacle (7) is arranged directly adjacent to the temperature control element.

9. Method for producing a battery module having a plurality of battery cells (2), in particular lithium-ion battery cells (20), which are each electrically conductively connected to one another in series and/or in parallel, wherein an electrically conductively designed first connecting element (41) is electrically conductively connected to a first terminal (31) of a switching device (3) and to a voltage tap (5) of the battery cell (2, 21) arranged at the end, and an electrically conductively designed second connecting element (42) is electrically conductively connected to a second terminal (32) of the switching device (3) and to a voltage tap (6) of the battery module (1), characterized in that the first connecting element (41) and/or the second connecting element (42) are/is thermally conductively accommodated in an accommodation (7, 71, 72) of a housing (10) of the battery module (1).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a battery module having a plurality of battery cells of the type according to the independent claim. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a battery module.

Background

As is known from the prior art, a battery module can be composed of a plurality of individual battery cells, which can be connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner in series and/or in parallel (verselten), so that the individual battery cells are connected together to form the battery module. Furthermore, such battery modules are connected together to form a battery or a battery system.

Furthermore, such battery modules often have a switching device, such as, for example, a relay, which is usually intended to regulate the voltage-free behavior at the positive pole of the battery module. Such a switching device therefore conducts the maximum current of the respective battery module and in principle generates considerable heat. It is known from the prior art that the heat to be dissipated is dissipated to the ambient air of the battery module, for example, by convection via the surface of the switching device or also via the surface of the current conductor which electrically conductively connects the switching device to the battery cell.

Disclosure of Invention

A battery module having a plurality of battery cells with the features of the independent claim offers the advantage that heat dissipation of the switching device of the battery module can be provided in a reliable manner.

To this end, a battery module having a plurality of battery cells is provided. The battery cell is in particular designed as a lithium-ion battery cell. Furthermore, the battery cells are connected to one another in an electrically conductive series connection and/or parallel connection. For this purpose, the battery cells may each have a first voltage tap (Spannungsabgriff), in particular a positive voltage tap, and a second voltage tap, in particular a negative voltage tap, which are electrically conductively connected to one another by means of the cell connectors, so that electrical series and/or parallel connections are formed.

In addition, the battery module includes a switching device having a first terminal and a second terminal. The first connecting element, which is configured to be electrically conductive, electrically conductively connects the first terminal to the voltage tap of the battery cell arranged at the end. In particular, the voltage tap of the battery cell arranged at the end is here the first voltage tap or the positive voltage tap. A second connecting element, which is configured to be electrically conductive, electrically conductively connects the second terminal to the voltage tap of the battery module. In particular, the voltage taps of the battery modules are here positive voltage taps.

The first connecting element and/or the second connecting element are/is accommodated in a receptacle of a housing of the battery module in a thermally conductive manner.

Advantageous refinements and improvements of the device specified in the independent claims are possible by means of the measures specified in the dependent claims.

It is to be noted here that, in particular, with the embodiment of the battery module according to the invention, it is also possible to reliably dissipate heat to the positive voltage taps of the cells arranged at the ends, which are subjected to a comparatively high thermal load.

Overall, reliable heat dissipation for the positive voltage taps of the switching device and of the cells arranged at the ends can thus be provided even with comparatively high demands on the battery module, for example an average continuous current of 200A or a maximum current of 600A for up to 10 seconds. As a result, the maximum temperature at the positive voltage taps or switching devices of the battery cells arranged at the ends can be kept relatively low, and in particular the service life of the entire battery module can thereby also be increased.

In addition, a thermally conductive compensating material is expediently arranged in the receptacle. It is noted here that compensation materials are also known as Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs). In particular, the compensation material can also be electrically insulated in order to form an electrical insulation. In particular, the material is preferably selected from epoxy or silicone or Polyurethane (PU).

In particular, the compensation element can be accommodated before the first connection element or the second connection element is arranged in the accommodation. By inserting the first connecting element or the second connecting element, the compensating element can be distributed in the receptacle and thus a reliable heat transfer is achieved. In particular, the compensation material is designed to be elastically or plastically deformable.

Advantageously, the receptacle is arranged on a side of the housing of the battery module. Furthermore, it may also be advantageous for the receptacle to be formed on the bottom of the housing of the battery module. It is to be noted here that the "bottom surface" is to be understood as meaning the lower side of the battery module which is arranged below during the intended use. Accordingly, the side faces should be arranged perpendicular to the underside.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the accommodating portion includes an opening. In particular, it is to be noted here that the opening is designed for inserting the first connecting element and/or the second connecting element into the receptacle. The opening has a cross section which is arranged perpendicular to the side faces or parallel to the base face.

In the case of an accommodation on the side of the housing of the battery module, the cross section of the opening is therefore formed perpendicular to the side. It is to be noted here that in the case of an accommodating part configured on a side of the housing of the battery module, the opening is not arranged on the largest side of the accommodating part. In other words, this means that the receptacle has a relatively small opening compared to its volume. In particular, the opening has a rectangular shape, wherein the length is several times greater than the width. Of course, the opening may also have an elliptical, oval or circular shape.

In addition, it is to be noted here that, in order to arrange the first connecting element or the second connecting element in the receptacle, the first connecting element or the second connecting element is inserted into the receptacle along a side face parallel to the side face. In other words, this means that the receiving parts formed on the side of the housing of the battery module are formed like pockets.

In the case of an accommodation on the bottom of the housing of the battery module, the cross section of the opening is thus formed parallel to the bottom. It is to be noted here that, in the case of an accommodating part configured on the bottom face of the housing of the battery module, the opening is arranged on the largest side face of the accommodating part. In other words, this means that the receptacle has a comparatively large opening compared to its volume. In particular, the opening has a rectangular shape, wherein the length substantially corresponds to the width. Furthermore, it is to be noted here that, in order to arrange the first connecting element or the second connecting element in the receptacle, the first connecting element or the second connecting element is inserted into the receptacle perpendicularly to the bottom surface. In other words, this means that the receiving parts formed on the bottom surface of the housing of the battery module are formed as recesses.

In both of the mentioned embodiments of the receiving part, the first connecting element and/or the second connecting element can be inserted into the battery module from above in a direction perpendicular to the base surface or parallel to the side surfaces, respectively. In particular, a preassembled group (Vorbaugruppe) of the switching device, the first connecting element and the second connecting element can be formed, which is subsequently inserted into the battery module.

Particularly preferably, the first connecting element and the second connecting element are made of a material selected from the group consisting of copper or aluminum or ceramic. This offers the advantage that particularly reliable heat removal is possible due to the comparatively high heat-conducting capacity.

The battery module may further comprise a holding element, which is arranged between the receptacle and the first or second connecting element. In particular, the retaining element may be composed of a polymer material. It is particularly advantageous if the retaining element is arranged on the first connecting element or the second connecting element before the first connecting element or the second connecting element is arranged in the receptacle. For example, the holding element can be clip-connected to the first connecting element or the second connecting element. The retaining element can also be injection-molded onto the first connecting element or the second connecting element. The holding element fulfills the special purpose that the first connecting element or the second connecting element can be spaced apart from the receptacle, so that an electrical short circuit can be prevented. Furthermore, a defined distance can be formed in this way, at which the compensation material is arranged. The holding elements are used in particular to form the minimum spacing required for air and creepage distances.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the switching device is arranged directly adjacent to the battery cell arranged at the end. Preferably, the battery cells are designed as prismatic battery cells. Prismatic cells usually have six side faces, wherein the opposite side faces are each arranged substantially parallel to one another and are of substantially identical size. The side faces arranged directly adjacent to one another are each arranged substantially perpendicular to one another. The battery cells are arranged in such a way that they are preferably arranged with their respective largest side face adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction of the battery module. The switching device is arranged here in particular directly adjacent to the largest side of the battery cells arranged at the end in the longitudinal direction. It is also noted here that "arranged at the end" may also mean arranged electrically at the end. The arrangement of the terminals offers the advantage, in particular, that a short electrically conductive connection is formed between the first terminal of the switching device and the voltage tap of the battery cell arranged at the terminal.

It is particularly preferred that the housing of the battery module comprises a temperature control element. For example, the battery module can form a temperature-controlled chamber through which a temperature-controlled fluid can flow. The temperature control element is preferably arranged on the underside of the battery module. Furthermore, the temperature control element can also be designed as a temperature control plate, which can be arranged in addition to the housing. In particular, the housing of the battery module and/or the temperature control element can preferably be made of aluminum. This enables active cooling of the housing of the battery module.

Advantageously, the receptacle is arranged directly adjacent to the temperature control element. In this way, heat can be transferred particularly effectively to the temperature control element. In particular, heat can thereby be reliably transferred to the temperature control element by means of the first and second connecting elements.

The switching device can be designed, for example, as a semiconductor switch, which is also known as a transistor, a Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) or a bipolar transistor with an Insulated Gate (IGBT). Preferably, the switching device is a mechanical relay in which the contacts can be opened and closed by electromagnetic force.

In particular, it is advantageous with the embodiment according to the invention that the heat generated during operation, in particular within the switching device, can be dissipated to the housing of the battery module via the first and second connecting elements via the respective receptacles. This can, for example, increase the service life of the switching device and/or the switching device can be adapted to the relatively high requirements of the battery module, in particular with regard to the maximum current flow.

It is to be noted here that the first terminal of the switching device and the first connecting element can also be jointly formed in one piece, and the second terminal of the switching device and the second connecting element can also be jointly formed in one piece.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a battery module having a plurality of battery cells. The battery cells are in particular designed as lithium-ion battery cells. Furthermore, the individual cells are each connected to one another in an electrically conductive series and/or parallel manner.

In this case, the first connecting element, which is designed to be electrically conductive, is electrically conductively connected to the first terminal of the switching device and to the voltage tap of the battery cell arranged at the end.

The second connecting element, which is electrically conductive, is electrically conductively connected to the second terminal of the switching device and to the voltage tap of the battery module.

Furthermore, the first connecting element and/or the second connecting element are/is accommodated in a receptacle of a housing of the battery module in a thermally conductive manner.

In particular, the method is a method for producing the battery module according to the invention described above, so that the method according to the invention can also be modified with respect to the advantageous modifications described in connection with the battery module according to the invention.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in detail in the following description. In which is shown:

figure 1 shows a cut-out (Ausschnitt) of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the invention in a perspective view,

figure 2a shows a section of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the invention towards a first connection element,

figure 2b shows a section of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the invention towards the second connecting element,

figure 3a shows the arrangement of the retaining elements,

figure 3b shows a section of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the invention towards the retaining element,

figure 4 shows a cut-out of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the invention in a perspective view,

fig. 5 shows a cut-out of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the invention, towards the connecting element, and

figure 6a shows a retaining element which is,

fig. 6b shows a section of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the invention, taken towards the holding element.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a cut-out of a battery module 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention in a perspective view.

The battery module 1 comprises a plurality of battery cells 2, wherein the battery cells 2 are shown by way of example in fig. 1. The battery cells 2 are in particular designed as lithium-ion battery cells 20. Furthermore, the battery cell 2 is configured as a prismatic battery cell 200. The battery cells 2 that can be seen in fig. 1 are in particular the battery cells 21 arranged at the ends.

The battery cells 2 are in each case electrically conductively interconnected in series and/or in parallel with one another.

Furthermore, the battery module 1 comprises a switching device 3. The switching device 3 has a first terminal 31 and a second terminal 32.

Furthermore, the battery module 1 includes a first connecting member 41 and a second connecting member 42. The first connecting element 41 and the second connecting element 42 are each configured in an electrically conductive manner.

The first connecting element 41 conductively connects the first terminal 31 of the switching device 3 to the voltage tap 5 of the battery cell 21 arranged at the end.

The second connecting element 42 electrically conductively connects the second terminal 32 of the switching device 3 to the voltage tap 6 of the battery module 1.

The first connecting element 41 and the second connecting element 42 are made of copper or aluminum or ceramic.

Furthermore, the housing 10 of the battery module 1 includes the accommodating portion 7. In particular, the battery module 1 has a first receiving part 71 and a second receiving part 72.

In this case, the first connecting element 41 is accommodated in the first accommodation 71 in a thermally conductive manner. In addition, the second connection element 42 is accommodated in the second accommodation portion 72 in a thermally conductive manner.

Furthermore, the battery module 1 comprises a fuse (Sicherung) 15, which is arranged between the second terminal 32 and the voltage tap 6 of the battery module 1 inside the second connecting element 42. Alternatively, the fuse 15 may also be arranged between the second connection element 42 and the voltage tap 6 of the battery module 1.

Fig. 2a shows a section of the battery module 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, taken towards the first connecting element 41.

Here, in addition to the first terminal 31 and the first connecting element 41 of the switching device 3, the first receptacle 71 of the housing 10 of the battery module 1 can also be seen.

Furthermore, it can be seen that a thermally conductive compensation material 8 is arranged in the first receptacle 71.

Here, the first receiving portion 71 is formed on a side surface 91 of the housing 10 of the battery module 1. The first receptacle 71 has an opening 73, which has a cross section 75 arranged perpendicular to the side 91.

Fig. 2b shows a section of the battery module 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention, taken towards the second connecting element 42.

Here, the second receptacle 72 of the housing 10 of the battery module 1 can also be seen in addition to the second terminal 32 and the second connecting element 42 of the switching device 3.

Furthermore, it can be seen that a thermally conductive compensation material 8 is arranged in the second receptacle 72.

The second receptacle 72 is formed on a side 91 of the housing 10 of the battery module 1. The second receptacle 72 has an opening 73, which has a cross section 75 arranged perpendicular to the side 91.

The possible heat flows during the heat dissipation of the switching device 3 are depicted by arrows both in fig. 2a and in fig. 2 b.

Fig. 3a shows the arrangement of the holding element 11 and fig. 3b shows a section of the battery module 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention, taken towards the holding element 11.

In fig. 3a, the holding element 11 itself can be seen first. Furthermore, the arrangement of the holding element 11 on the first connecting element 41 or the second connecting element 42 can be seen from one side in a perspective view and in a sectional view.

The holding element 11 can be fixed to the first connecting element 41 or the second connecting element 42, for example, by means of a snap connection. The holding element 11 comprises in particular a frame 12 which surrounds the first connecting element 41 or the second connecting element 42 at least partially at the longitudinal edges and at the lower edges. Furthermore, the holding element 11 comprises a spacer element 13 for forming a distance between the first connecting element 41 or the second connecting element 42 and the respective receptacle 7, 71, 72.

Fig. 3b shows the arrangement of the first connecting element 41 or the second connecting element 42 and the holding element 11 in the receptacle 7. It can be seen here that the holding element 11 or the spacer element 12 produces such a spacing that the compensation element 8 can be accommodated in the receptacle 7 between the first connection element 41 or the second connection element 42 and the receptacle 7. In order to obtain an optimum connection by means of the compensation material 8, the first connecting element 41 or the second connecting element 42 and the holding element 11 can also be adapted to the receptacle 7. Thereby providing efficient heat removal.

Fig. 4 shows a cut-out of a battery module 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention in a perspective view.

The second embodiment of the battery module 1 shown in fig. 4 corresponds substantially to the first embodiment of the battery module 1 already described. For example, the difference is the thermally conductive receptacle of the first connecting element 41 in the first receptacle 71 and the thermally conductive receptacle of the second connecting element 42 in the second receptacle 72.

Here, in the second embodiment of the battery module 1, the housing 10 of the battery module 1 also includes the accommodating portion 7. In particular, the battery module 1 has a first receiving part 71 and a second receiving part 72.

In this case, the first connecting element 41 is accommodated in the first accommodation 71 in a thermally conductive manner. In addition, the second connection element 42 is accommodated in the second accommodation portion 72 in a thermally conductive manner.

In fig. 4, the possible heat flows during heat dissipation are depicted by arrows.

Fig. 5 shows a section of a battery module 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention, taken towards the first connecting element 41 or the second connecting element 42.

Here, the receptacle 7 or the first receptacle 71 or the second receptacle 72 can also be seen.

The receptacle 7 is formed on the bottom 92 of the housing 10 of the battery module 1. The receptacle 7 has an opening 74, which has a cross section 76 arranged parallel to the bottom surface 92.

Furthermore, it can be seen that a thermally conductive compensation material 8 is arranged in the second receptacle 72.

Fig. 6a shows the holding element 11, and fig. 6b shows a section of the battery module 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention, cut out towards the holding element 11.

In this case, the retaining element 11 can be seen first on the bottom 92 of the housing 10 of the battery module 1, to be precise before the first connecting element 41 or the second connecting element 42 has been arranged. The holding element 11 can be made of a polymer material. By way of example, the holding element 11 can have ribs, which cannot be seen in fig. 6a, for centering the holding element 11 in the receptacle 7 of the housing 10 of the battery module 1. Such ribs enable alignment and in particular simplified assembly.

Fig. 6b shows that the first connecting element 41 or the second connecting element 42 is arranged in the receptacle 7. In particular, the first connecting element 41 or the second connecting element 42 is accommodated in the holding element 11. Furthermore, the compensation element 8 can be seen.

The holding element 11 serves in particular for reliable electrical insulation of the first connecting element 41 or of the second connecting element 42 relative to the receptacle 7.