阅读说明：本技术 电池组模块和电驱动的机动车 (Battery module and electrically driven motor vehicle ) 是由 U.施里弗 J.哈德 于 2020-08-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种电池组模块(6),具有端子(14),所述端子具有用于与高压连接器(16)电连接的接触段(36)；壳体(40),作为用于所述接触段(36)的接触防护件,其中,所述壳体(40)具有壳盖(42),所述壳盖(42)与所述接触段(36)相间隔地布置并且在所述接触段(36)和壳盖(42)之间形成用于高压连接器(16)的容纳腔室(44),其中,所述壳体(40)的壳体纵向壁(48)具有缝隙状的第一缺口(50),用于使所述高压连接器(16)安置在所述容纳腔室(44)中,并且其中,所述壳体纵向壁(48)在高压连接器的安置方向(E)上遮盖所述接触段(36),并且其中,所述壳盖(42)具有第二缺口(52),用于使所述高压连接器(16)与所述接触段(36)接合。此外,本发明涉及一种电驱动的机动车(2),具有具备这样的电池组模块(6)的牵引用电池(4)。(The invention relates to a battery module (6) having a terminal (14) with a contact section (36) for electrical connection with a high-voltage connector (16); a housing (40) as a contact protection for the contact section (36), wherein the housing (40) has a housing cover (42), wherein the housing cover (42) is arranged at a distance from the contact section (36) and forms a receiving chamber (44) for a high-voltage connector (16) between the contact section (36) and the housing cover (42), wherein a housing longitudinal wall (48) of the housing (40) has a first gap-like recess (50) for receiving the high-voltage connector (16) in the receiving chamber (44), and wherein the housing longitudinal wall (48) covers the contact section (36) in a receiving direction (E) of the high-voltage connector, and wherein the housing cover (42) has a second recess (52) for engaging the high-voltage connector (16) with the contact section (36). The invention further relates to an electrically driven motor vehicle (2) having a traction battery (4) having such a battery module (6).)

1. A battery module (6) has

-a terminal (14), the terminal (14) having a contact section (36) for electrical connection with a high voltage connector (16),

a housing (40) as a contact guard for the contact section (36),

-wherein the housing (40) has a housing cover (42), the housing cover (42) being arranged at a distance from the contact section (36) and forming a receiving chamber (44) for a high-voltage connector (16) between the contact section (36) and the housing cover (42),

-wherein a housing longitudinal wall (48) of the housing (40) has a slit-like first recess (50) for the high-voltage connector (16) to be seated in the receiving chamber (44), and wherein the housing longitudinal wall (48) covers the contact section (36) in a seating direction (E) of the high-voltage connector,

-and wherein the housing cover (42) has a second indentation (52) for engaging the high voltage connector (16) with the contact section (36).

2. The battery module (6) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clear width (a) of the first indentation (50) in the transverse direction of the slot and/or the clear width (b) of the second indentation (52) is smaller than 12mm, in particular smaller than 10 mm.

3. The battery module (6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (20) has two housing transverse walls (58) which extend transversely to the housing longitudinal walls (48), wherein the first recess (50) is arranged in the housing longitudinal walls (48) and in an edge region of one of the housing transverse walls (58).

4. The battery module (6) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a high-voltage connector (16) is provided, wherein the high-voltage connector (16) has a web (46) for placement in the receiving chamber (44) and a conductor section (54) formed on the web (46), wherein the conductor section (54) is surrounded by an insulation (56).

5. The battery module (6) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second indentation (52) is circular.

6. The battery module (6) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a bolt (60) is provided for engaging the contact section (36) with a high-voltage connector (16), wherein the bolt head (62) is provided with an insulating cap (IK).

7. The battery module (6) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a flange (68) is arranged on the housing cover (42) on the housing outside along the circumferential side of the second recess (52).

8. An electrically driven motor vehicle (2) having a traction battery (4) with a battery module (6) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a battery module having a terminal. The invention also relates to an electrically driven motor vehicle whose traction battery has such a battery module.

Background

Electrically driven vehicles usually have a traction battery for supplying an electric motor with electrical energy for driving the vehicle. Electrically driven motor vehicles are understood here to mean, in particular, electric vehicles (BEV, electric only vehicles) which store the energy required for driving only in a traction battery, electric vehicles (REEV, range-extended electric vehicles) with extended-range means, hybrid vehicles (HEV, hybrid electric vehicles), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) and/or fuel cell vehicles (FCEV, fuel cell electric vehicles) which temporarily store the electrical energy generated by a fuel cell in a traction battery.

Such traction batteries are constructed modularly in a suitable manner. Therefore, the traction battery has a plurality of battery modules, which in turn include a plurality of batteries. The battery(s) of the individual battery modules and the battery module(s) are connected in series and/or in parallel with one another in this case, so that the traction battery can provide a voltage suitable for the operation of the motor vehicle and a current suitable for this purpose.

The battery modules are electrically connected to the other battery components, for example to the terminals of the other battery modules, at their terminals (of the modules) by means of so-called high-voltage connectors.

The terminals can be supplied with a relatively high voltage, in particular with a voltage of more than 60V. High voltages of this type are dangerous for the mechanic, for example, during initial assembly or during maintenance of the traction battery.

It is known to use contact protection mechanisms for the terminals, by means of which contact with the terminals can be avoided or prevented (unintentionally). For example, DE 102014012320B 3 discloses a battery module whose poles can be connected to cables by means of screws. The battery comprises a housing which electrically insulates the electrodes and by means of which a contact protection against the bolts and the electrodes is provided.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is based on the object of providing a particularly suitable battery module. In particular, a safe connection of the high-voltage connector to the terminal and/or a reliable electrical connection between the high-voltage connector and the terminal should be achieved here. Furthermore, a motor vehicle is to be provided, the traction battery of which has such a battery module.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a battery module having terminals with contact sections for electrical connection to a high-voltage connector, and having a housing as a contact protection for the contact sections, wherein the housing has a housing cover which is arranged at a distance from the contact sections and forms a receiving chamber for the high-voltage connector between the contact sections and the housing cover, wherein a housing longitudinal wall of the housing has a first gap-like cutout for the high-voltage connector to be received in the receiving chamber, and wherein the housing longitudinal wall covers the contact sections in a receiving direction of the high-voltage connector, and wherein the housing cover has a second gap for the high-voltage connector to engage with the contact sections. The object is also achieved according to the invention by an electrically driven motor vehicle having a traction battery with a battery module of the aforementioned type. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject matter of the invention. The exemplary embodiments of the battery module are also suitable for use in motor vehicles, and vice versa.

Battery module, in particular a battery module designed and designed for a traction battery of an electrically driven motor vehicle, has electrically conductive (modular) terminals for providing a voltage. The terminals are also referred to as electrodes. The terminal has a contact section designed for electrical connection with a high voltage connector. Furthermore, the terminals advantageously have a connecting section for electrical connection with a current collector, which in turn is connected with a cell terminal (cell electrode) of a cell of the battery module.

The battery module is electrically connected with other battery components by means of the terminals of the battery module and the corresponding high-voltage connectors. Other battery components are, for example, terminals of other battery modules, control devices or interfaces of traction batteries to consumers, in particular to the drive train (battery).

The battery module furthermore comprises a housing for the contact section, which housing is advantageously composed of an electrically insulating material, wherein the housing forms a contact protection against contact with the terminals, in particular unintentionally. The housing has a housing cover which is spaced apart from the contact sections and is arranged parallel to the contact sections in a suitable manner. In this way, a receiving space for the high-voltage connector is formed between the contact section and the housing cover.

The housing also comprises a housing longitudinal wall which expediently extends perpendicularly to the housing cover. The housing longitudinal wall has a first gap in the form of a slit in order to accommodate the high-voltage connector in the receiving chamber. In other words, the housing longitudinal wall has a window-like recess, through which the high-voltage connector can be accommodated in the receiving chamber. The housing longitudinal wall at least partially covers the contact section in the installation direction of the high-voltage connector. The edge of the first recess remote from the housing cover is preferably flush with the (engagement) surface of the contact section facing the housing cover.

The first recess is preferably arranged in the housing longitudinal wall on the cover side. In other words, the first recess extends along the end of the longitudinal wall of the housing facing the housing cover.

The housing cover has a second notch for engaging the high voltage connector with the contact section. The second recess serves here as a through-opening for a welding tool, so that the high-voltage connector arranged in the receiving chamber can be welded to the contact section of the terminal. The second recess is alternatively used for a through opening of a screw, by means of which the high-pressure connector and the contact section can be screwed to one another.

In the case of forming the housing, the terminals or at least the contact sections thereof are, for example, overmolded with plastic.

Contact protection against the contact section of the terminal and the high-voltage connector arranged in the receiving chamber is advantageously achieved by means of the housing. The high-voltage connector and the contact section can be joined to one another in a simple manner by placing the high-voltage connector in the receiving chamber and by subsequent welding or screwing, wherein the welded connection or screw connection is relatively reliable and safe. In summary, contact with the battery module component to which the voltage is applied is avoided.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first recess has a clear width in the direction transverse to the slot, i.e. perpendicular to the housing cover, and/or the second recess has a clear width of less than 12mm, in particular less than 10 mm. The first and second indentations are thus dimensioned so as to prevent contact of the terminal and the high-voltage connector accommodated in the accommodation chamber with a standard finger, which has a diameter of 12mm in particular. Such contact protection is indicated by the IP code IPXXB in accordance with DIN EN 60529. In this manner, the fingers of a person are prevented from coming into contact with the high-voltage connector and the contact section, if necessary, and the danger to the person due to the voltage at the terminals is avoided.

According to a suitable embodiment, the high-voltage connector of the battery module has a tab for establishing an electrical connection to the contact section of the terminal. For this purpose, the webs are arranged in the receiving chambers. Furthermore, the conductor sections are formed on the tabs of the high-voltage connector in order to be connected to further battery components. The conductor section is surrounded by an insulating element. In the assembled state, the contact pieces are therefore protected from contact by the housing, and the conductor sections arranged on the housing are protected from contact by the insulating element. The conductor sections are preferably overmolded with an electrically insulating, i.e. non-conductive, material, such as plastic. The high voltage connector is preferably L-shaped. The webs form the horizontal legs of the L-shape and the conductor sections form the vertical legs of the L-shape.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the housing also has two housing transverse walls which extend transversely to the housing longitudinal wall and preferably adjoin the housing longitudinal wall. The two housing transverse walls preferably cover the contact sections of the terminals in a direction perpendicular to the normal of the housing cover and to the normal of the housing longitudinal walls, respectively. The first recess is arranged in the housing longitudinal walls and in an edge region of one of the housing transverse walls adjoining the housing longitudinal wall. In other words, the first recess extends on the housing longitudinal wall and on an edge region of the respective housing transverse wall adjoining the housing longitudinal wall. In particular, if the high-voltage connector is L-shaped, tolerance compensation is provided by means of the section of the first recess arranged in the lateral wall of the housing. The conductor section of the high-voltage connector can thus be arranged partially in this section of the first recess, i.e. project into this section, so that advantageously a recess between the insulation of the conductor section and the housing cover is avoided and the resulting risk of contact is thus avoided.

The second recess is, for example, slit-shaped or long-hole-shaped. This embodiment has a relatively small clear width in the transverse direction of the slot or oblong hole, wherein the high-voltage connector and the contact section can be joined to one another by welding. However, according to a suitable embodiment, the second recess is circular, i.e., rounded. In this way, the high-pressure connector can be joined to the contact section not only by means of screws but also by means of welding.

In a suitable embodiment, the bolt head of the bolt for engaging the contact section and the high-voltage connector is provided with an insulating cap. The insulating cap is preferably made of an electrically insulating plastic, wherein the insulating cap has a through opening for a screw tool.

In particular, if it is provided that the high-voltage connector is connected to the terminal by means of a screw connection, in an advantageous embodiment a flange is arranged, preferably formed, on the housing cover outside the housing. The flange is disposed along a circumferential side of the second notch. The flange preferably has a height, i.e. an extent perpendicular to the housing cover, such that the bolt contacts the high-voltage connector or the contact section only if the distance between the plastic housing of the bolt head and the flange is so small that contact with the high-voltage connector or the contact section, in particular by a standard finger, is avoided. The height of the flange is in particular greater than the length of the screw.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the electrically driven motor vehicle has a traction battery with a battery module, preferably a plurality of battery modules, according to one of the variants described above. The contact sections of the terminals of the respective battery module are thus protected from contact, in particular by means of the housing.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 schematically shows an electrically driven motor vehicle having a traction battery with a plurality of battery modules coupled to one another;

fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a battery module with two terminals, wherein the contact sections of the terminals are surrounded by a housing, wherein a housing longitudinal wall of the housing has a first recess for accommodating a high-voltage connector, and the housing cover has a plurality of second recesses for engaging the high-voltage connector with the contact sections;

fig. 3a shows a schematic partial view of a cross section through a contact section of the battery module according to fig. 2, the contact section being arranged spaced apart from the housing cover with the receiving chamber formed;

fig. 3b shows the battery module according to the illustration of fig. 3a, wherein the high-voltage connector is arranged in the housing;

fig. 3c schematically shows a partial view of a cross section along a contact section of an alternative design of a battery module, wherein the battery module comprises cells designed as pouch cells;

fig. 4a shows an exploded view of the housing, the contact section and the high-voltage connector to be joined to the contact section, wherein the high-voltage connector is formed by a conductor section surrounded by an insulator and a tab formed on the conductor section for engagement with a terminal;

figure 4b shows a perspective view of the high voltage connector arranged in the housing;

fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the housing, in which a flange is formed along the circumference of the second recess.

The components and parameters that are identical to one another are always provided with the same reference numerals in all the figures.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 2 having a traction battery 4. The traction battery 4 has a plurality of battery modules 6, also referred to as battery modules, wherein only two battery modules 6 are shown for the sake of better simplicity.

Each battery module 6 in turn has a plurality of prismatic cells 8, wherein each five cells represents a battery module. The batteries 8 each have a voltage applied to their battery terminals 10. The cells 8 of each battery module are connected in series with one another, for example. The cells are connected in parallel and/or in series with one another in a variant which is not shown in detail. The cells 8 coupled to each other are electrically connected to two terminals 14 of the battery module 6 via current collectors 12, respectively, so that a voltage is applied to the terminals 14 according to the coupling of the cells 8. The terminals 14 of the battery module 6 are in turn electrically connected to each other and to a battery interface 18 for an electrical consumer by means of a high-voltage connector 16.

The battery pack interface 18 of the traction battery 4 is connected to an electrical consumer, which is designed here as an inverter 20 of the drive train of the motor vehicle 2 and as an electric motor 22 connected to the inverter. The inverter 20 converts the direct current supplied from the traction battery 4 or the direct voltage supplied therefrom into an alternating current or an alternating voltage suitable for operating the electric motor 22. In summary, the traction battery supplies the drive motor vehicle 2 with electrical energy.

Fig. 2 shows the battery module 6. The battery module has a battery module housing 24 with a module housing cover 26 and a pot-shaped receiving space for receiving the batteries 8, which is formed by a module housing base plate, not shown in detail, and oriented parallel to the module housing cover 26 and by a module housing frame. A (end plate) front plate 32 is arranged on the side wall 30 of the module housing frame 28, on which front plate 32 the terminals 14 are fixed.

As can be seen in particular in the cross-sectional view of the battery module 6 according to fig. 3a, in which the section plane runs perpendicular to the module housing cover 26 and perpendicular to the side wall 30, the current collectors 12 project through openings of the side wall 30. According to an alternative, which is not shown in detail, the current collectors project from the battery module housing 24 between the module housing cover 26 and the side walls 30. The terminal 14 has a contact section 36, which contact section 36 is oriented perpendicularly to the side wall 30 of the module housing frame 28, and the terminal 14 has a connection section 38 for electrically connecting the contact section 36 to the current collector 12. The contact section 36, the connection section 38 and the current collector 12 form a step shape here. The connecting section 38 is oriented parallel to the side wall 30. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the current collector 12, the connecting section 38 and the contact section 36 of the terminal 14 are designed in a correlated manner, i.e., in one piece.

Fig. 3c shows an alternative embodiment of the battery module. The embodiment in connection with fig. 3a and the embodiments in connection with fig. 4a to 5 are applicable here in a similar manner with regard to the housing 40. In the cup-shaped receiving space, a plurality of batteries 8' are accommodated, which are designed as so-called pouch batteries, wherein only one battery is shown by way of example for the sake of better clarity. Pouch cell 8 'is electrically connected to a cell current collector 12 on the current collector 10' of its cell. Here, the battery current collector 12 is configured in association with the contact section 36, with the L-shape being formed.

Furthermore, the battery module 6 has a housing 40 for each contact section 36, which is shown in detail in fig. 4a and 4 b. The respective housing 40 serves as contact protection in order to prevent contact with the contact section 36 to which a voltage is applied. For this purpose, the respective housing 40 has a housing cover 42, which housing cover 42 covers the contact sections 36 in a direction oriented perpendicular to the plane spanned by the housing cover 42. The housing cover 40 is arranged at a distance from the contact section 36. During the assembly process, the webs 46 of the high-voltage connector 16 are arranged in the arrangement direction E in the receiving space 44 formed between the contact section 36 and the housing cover 42.

In the case of the formation of the housing of the contact section 36 and/or in the case of the formation of the fastening element of the housing 40 for fastening the contact section 36, the current collector 12, the connecting section 38 and/or the contact section 36 of the terminal 14 are, for example, overmolded with a non-conductive plastic in a manner not shown in detail. The fastening element is configured, for example, as a projection formed on the housing 40, in particular in the form of a tab, which in the assembled state is arranged between the side wall 30 and the front plate and is thus held by the front plate 32. According to an alternative not shown in detail, the housing 40 is fixed, for example locked, clamped, screwed or glued to the side walls 30 of the module housing frame 26 or to the front plate 32.

Fig. 4a shows an exploded view of the housing 40 of the battery module 6 with the associated contact section 36 and the associated high-voltage connector 16, and fig. 4b shows the high-voltage connector 16 in the assembled state, i.e. with the webs 46 of the high-voltage connector 16 accommodated in the accommodation chamber 44.

The assembled state of the high-voltage connector 16 is also shown in the sectional view of fig. 3 b. The cross-section of the housing 40 is shown in fig. 3a to 3c in hatched lines.

The housing 40 has a housing longitudinal wall 48 extending perpendicular to the housing cover 42. Furthermore, the housing longitudinal wall 48 is oriented spaced apart from the side wall 30 of the module housing frame 26 and away from the module housing frame 26. The contact section 36 is therefore arranged between the housing longitudinal wall 48 and the side wall 30 of the module housing frame 26.

A first slot 50 in the housing longitudinal wall 48 is arranged in the form of a slot, i.e., in the form of an elongated slot, through which first slot 50 the high-pressure connector 16 can be arranged in the receiving chamber 44. In this case, the first recess 50 is arranged at the end of the housing longitudinal wall 48 facing the housing cover 42. The slot is oriented longitudinally parallel to the housing cover 42, in other words the first recess extends in this direction. Due to this arrangement of the first recess 50, the housing longitudinal wall 48 covers the contact section 36, which is arranged at a distance from the housing cover 42, in the installation direction E of the high-voltage connector 16. The installation direction E is shown here by means of an arrow in fig. 4 a.

Housing cover 42 has three second notches 52, and second notches 52 are used to engage high voltage connector 16 with contact sections 36 of terminals 14. The second recess 52 is of circular design, wherein a passage for a welding tool (not shown) is formed through the second recess 52, so that the high-voltage connector 16 can be welded to the contact section 36.

The clear width a of the first recess 50 in the transverse direction of the slot, i.e. in a direction parallel to the normal of the cover 42, and the clear width b of the second recess 52 are less than 12 mm. Thus preventing the contact section 36 of the terminal 14 and the high-voltage connector 16 accommodated in the accommodation chamber from being contacted with a standard finger, which has a diameter of 12mm in particular.

The high voltage connector 16 is L-shaped. The high-voltage connector 16 has a conductor section 54 as a vertical cathetus, from which conductor section 54 the tab 46 of the high-voltage connector 16 extends vertically as a horizontal cathetus. The webs 46 are formed on the conductor sections 54. The conductor segments 54 are surrounded by insulation 56. In other words, the section of the high-voltage connector 16 provided with the insulation 56 forms the conductor section 54, and that section which is arranged in the receiving chamber 44 of the housing 40 forms the web 46.

Furthermore, the housing 40 has two housing transverse walls 58, the housing transverse walls 58 being oriented perpendicularly, i.e., transversely, to the housing longitudinal walls 48 and to the housing cover 42. The two housing transverse walls 58 are delimited here by the housing longitudinal walls 48. The housing cover 42, the housing longitudinal wall 48 and the two housing transverse walls 58 are formed in one piece, i.e. in one piece. Two housing transverse walls 58 cover the contact sections 36 of the terminals 14 up to the housing 40 in a direction perpendicular to the normal of the housing cover 42 and to the normal of the housing longitudinal wall 48, respectively.

Furthermore, the first recess 50 extends not only along the housing longitudinal wall 48 but also along an edge region (end region) of one of the two housing transverse walls 58 which adjoins the housing longitudinal wall 48. The section of the first recess 50 which is arranged in the housing transverse wall 58 serves here as a tolerance compensation for the insulation 56 of the conductor section 54 of the high-voltage connector. The insulating element 56 can therefore optionally project into this section of the first recess 50, so that formation of a recess between the insulating element 56 and the housing cover 42 in the assembled state of the high-voltage connector 16 is avoided.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the housing 40. The above-described embodiment is here applicable in a similar manner to the embodiment of the housing 40 according to fig. 5, except as shown below. According to this embodiment, the high-voltage connector 16 and the contact section 36 are joined to one another by means of a screw 60. The screw 60 is accommodated in the second recess 52, wherein at least the shank 62 of the screw 60 projects through the second recess 52 in the assembled state. The screw 60 is shown here in an exploded view removed from the housing 40 for better visibility.

The bolt heads 62 of the bolts 60 are each provided with an insulating cap 63 having a through opening 64 for a bolt tool (not shown). The through-opening 64 is flush with a receiving contour 66 of the respective bolt head 62.

Furthermore, a flange 68 is formed on the housing cover 42 along the circumferential side of the circular second recess 52, and this flange 68 stands perpendicular to the housing cover 42 toward the outside of the housing, i.e., on the side of the housing cover 42 remote from the receiving chamber 44. The flange 68 has a height relative to the housing cover 42, which height of the housing cover 42 is greater than the length of the threaded shaft 61 of the threaded bolt 60. In this way, electrical contact of the screw 61 with the high-voltage connector 16 accommodated in the receiving chamber 44 or with the contact section 36 can only be achieved if the insulating cap 63 projects into the through-opening formed by the collar 68. Contact of the shank 61 of the bolt 60 is then avoided according to the flange 68 when the bolt 60 is in electrical contact with the high-voltage connector 16 or with the contact section.

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. Instead, other variants of the invention can be derived by the person skilled in the art without departing from the invention. All individual features described in particular in connection with the embodiments can also be combined with one another in other ways, without departing from the technical solution of the invention.

List of reference numerals

2 Motor vehicle

4 traction battery

6 Battery pack module

8 cell

10 cell terminal

10' cell current collector

12 Current collector

14 terminal

16 high-voltage connector

18 battery pack interface

20 inverter

22 electric motor

24 battery pack module casing

26 Module housing cover

28 Module housing frame

30 side wall

32 front plate

36 contact section

38 connecting segment

40 casing

42 casing cover

44 containment chamber

46 contact piece

48 longitudinal wall of the housing

50 first notch

52 second notch

54 conductor segment

56 insulating member

58 lateral wall of the housing

60 bolt

61 screw rod

62 bolt head

63 insulating cap

64 through hole

66 containment profile

68 flange

a. b net width

E arrangement direction