BATTERY MODULE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH A BATTERY MODULE

Abstract

A battery module having a plurality of prismatic battery cells, in particular lithium-ion battery cells, which are arranged next to one another in a longitudinal direction of the battery module, wherein the plurality of battery cells are received in an interior of a housing of the battery module and additionally a bottom surface of the housing of the battery module and a bottom surface of the battery cells are respectively cohesively connected to one another, in particular in an adhesively bonded manner by means of an adhesive, wherein a compressing element is arranged between the housing and the plurality of battery cells in the longitudinal direction of the battery module, so that a defined spacing is formed for electrical insulation from the housing.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a battery module. The present invention also relates to a method for producing such a battery module.

It is known from the prior art that a battery module has a plurality of individual battery cells which each have a positive voltage tap and a negative voltage tap, wherein, for the purpose of electrically conductively connecting the plurality of battery cells to one another in series and/or in parallel, the respective voltage taps are electrically conductively connected to one another and therefore can be interconnected to form the battery module. Battery modules, for their part, are further interconnected to form batteries or to form entire battery systems.

In particular, lithium-ion battery cells or lithium-polymer battery cells heat up as a result of chemical conversion processes in their interior, particularly in the case of rapid energy release or absorption in battery systems. The more powerful the battery system, the more it is heated up and consequently an efficient active thermal management system is required.

Temperature control is primarily in the form of liquid temperature control, for example using a water/glycol mixture. The temperature-control fluid is conducted, for example, through ducts in a cooling element arranged below the battery cells. In addition, these cooling elements are connected to a cooling circuit.

In addition, it is known from the prior art in this respect to remove heat from the battery cells via their cell bottoms, wherein the flow of heat passes through the bottom of the cell housing and a cooling plate into the cooling medium. Thermal contact-connection between the cell bottom and the cooling element is implemented by means of what is known as a thermal interface material (TIM), this possibly being, for example, a thermally conductive adhesive, what is known as a gap filler or what is known as a gap pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in greater detail in the following description.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded illustration of a plurality of battery cells braced with one another,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the plurality of battery cells braced with one another in accordance with FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a battery module according to the invention from one side,

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the battery module according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 3 from another side,

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a supporting element,

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a compressing element, and

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a housing of the battery module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an exploded illustration of a plurality of battery cells 2, braced with one another, which are each in the form of prismatic battery cells 20. In particular, the battery cells 2 are preferably in the form of lithium-ion battery cells 200.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the plurality of battery cells 2, braced with one another, in accordance with FIG. 1. Therefore, FIGS. 1 and 2 should be described together in the text which follows.

In said figures, the battery cells 2 are arranged next to one another in a longitudinal direction 4 of the battery module 1. In addition, the battery cells 2 are braced with one another.

Furthermore, said figure shows that the plurality of battery cells 2 are arranged between two end plates 5. Here, the two end plates 5 and the plurality of battery cells 2 are braced with one another by way of clamping elements 6. In particular, the clamping elements 6 are each in the form of a clamping band 60 here. In particular, FIG. 2 shows that the clamping element 6 is cohesively connected to the end plates 5, such as in particular in a welded manner by means of a welded connection 7.

An adhesive 8, which particularly preferably has thermally conductive additives, is arranged between the clamping element 6 and a side surface 23 of a battery cell 2. Furthermore, the clamping element 6 is electrically insulated from the plurality of battery cells 2.

In addition, a respective spacer element 9 is arranged between two battery cells 2 arranged adj acent to one another, which spacer elements provide electrical insulation between the two battery cells 2 arranged adjacent to one another. A spacer element 9 is also arranged between an end plate 5 and a battery cell 2 arranged at an end, which spacer element provides electrical insulation between the battery cell 2 arranged at an end and the end plate 5.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a battery module 1 according to the invention from one side.

Said figure shows that the plurality of battery cells 2 are received in an interior 30 of a housing 3 of the battery module 1.

Furthermore, a bottom surface 31 of the housing 3 of the battery module 1 and a bottom surface 21 of the battery cells 2 are respectively cohesively connected to one another. In particular, this connection can be formed by means of an adhesive 81.

Here, the housing 3 of the battery module 1 comprises a temperature-control element 13 directly adjacent to the bottom surfaces 21 of the battery cells 2.

A compressing element 11 is arranged between the housing 3 of the battery module 1 and the plurality of battery cells 2 in the longitudinal direction 4 of the battery module 1. Here, the compressing element 11 tapers perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 4 of the battery module 1 in the direction of the bottom surface 31 of the housing 3 of the battery module 1. In particular, this taper is formed in a vertical direction 41, which is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 4.

Furthermore, said figure shows that a supporting element 12 is arranged between the housing 3 of the battery module 1 and the plurality of battery cells 2 opposite the compressing element 11 in the longitudinal direction 4 of the battery module 1.

Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows the above-described primary mechanical load path, in which a mechanical load is transferred from the plurality of battery cells 2 to the bottom surface 31 of the housing 3 of the battery module 1 via the cohesive connection at the bottom of the housing 3 of the battery module 1 during operation. Furthermore, a force is transferred to the housing 3 of the battery module 1 via the supporting element 12 and the compressing element 11.

As a result, a defined spacing, in particular between an end plate 5 and the housing 3, is formed for electrical insulation.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the battery module 1 according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 3 from another side.

Said figure shows the clamping element 6, the housing 3, the adhesive 81 and a battery cell 2. Furthermore, a transverse direction 42 is shown, which is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 4 and the vertical direction 41.

Here, a defined spacing is also formed between the housing 3 and the battery cell 2.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a supporting element 12.

The left-hand-side illustration in said figure shows a first view with contact surfaces 121, which are formed to make mechanical contact with the end plates 5. Furthermore, the right-hand-side illustration shows a second view with contact surfaces 122, which are formed to make mechanical contact with the housing 3 of the battery module 1.

Furthermore, the supporting element 12 has an opening 123. Said opening 123 serves to ensure thermal decoupling.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a compressing element 11.

The left-hand-side illustration of said figure shows a first view with a first contact surface 111 which is formed to make mechanical contact with the end plates 5. Furthermore, the right-hand side illustration shows a second view with a second contact surface 112 which is formed to make mechanical contact with the housing 3 of the battery module 1. In particular, the second contact surface 112 is in the form of a linear contact here.

Said figure shows that the first contact surface 111 and the second contact surface 112 are arranged at an angle 113 with respect to one another, wherein the angle has, in particular, a value of at least four degrees.

Such a compressing element 11 is particularly preferably formed from a polymeric material.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a housing 3 of the battery module 1.

The left-hand-side illustration in said figure shows the inner side 151 of the housing 3 of the battery module 1, on which inner side the supporting element 12 is arranged.

The right-hand-side illustration in said figure shows the inner side 152 of the housing 3 of the battery module 1, on which inner side the compressing element 11 is arranged or the compressing elements 11 are arranged.

Said figure shows that the housing 3 of the battery module 1 comprises receptacles 153 in which a respective compressing element 11 can be received in a form-fitting manner. In particular, the receptacles 153 in this case are in the form of guide grooves in which the linear contact of the compressing element 11 can preferably be received. That is to say, linear or in other words very narrow contact is formed between the receptacle 153 and the compressing element 11.

Furthermore, a receptacle 153 can also form an angle 154 which is formed with respect to a vertical direction 41 of the battery module 1 arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 4 of the battery module 1 and has a value of at least four degrees.

Claims

1. A battery module having a plurality of prismatic battery cells (2, 20) that are arranged next to one another in a longitudinal direction (4) of the battery module (1), wherein the plurality of battery cells (2) are received in an interior (30) of a housing (3) of the battery module (1) and additionally a bottom surface (31) of the housing (3) of the battery module (1) and a bottom surface (21) of the battery cells (2) are respectively cohesively connected to one another, wherein a compressing element (11) and/or a supporting element (12) is arranged between the housing (3) and the plurality of battery cells (2) in the longitudinal direction (4) of the battery module (1), so that a defined spacing is formed for electrical insulation from the housing (3).

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the compressing element (11) tapers perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction (4) of the battery module (1) in a direction of the bottom surface (31) of the housing (3) and has two contact surfaces (111, 112) which are arranged at an angle (113) of at least four degrees with respect to one another.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the compressing element (11) is received in a form-fitting manner in a receptacle (153) of the housing (3) of the battery module (1), wherein the receptacle (153) forms an angle (154) of at least four degrees with respect to a vertical direction (41) of the battery module (1) arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction (4).

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a supporting element (12) is arranged between the housing (3) of the battery module (1) and the plurality of battery cells (2) opposite the compressing element (11) in the longitudinal direction (4) of the battery module (1).

5. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein the supporting element (12) comprises an opening (123) and contact surfaces (121, 122).

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the battery module (1) has two compressing elements (11).

7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the housing (3) comprises a temperature-control element (13) directly adjacent to the bottom surfaces (21) of the battery cells (2), which temperature-control element (13) is in the form of a temperature-control chamber through which temperature-control fluid can flow.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells (2) are braced with one another.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of battery cells (2) are arranged between two end plates (5) which are braced with one another by way of at least one clamping element (6).

10. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein an adhesive (8) is arranged between a side surface (23) of a battery cell (2) and the clamping element (6).

11. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein the clamping element (6) is electrically insulated from the plurality of battery cells (2).

12. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein the supporting element (12) is connected in a form-fitting or cohesive manner to an end plate (5) or to the housing (3).

13. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the compressing element (11) and/or the supporting element (12) is formed from a polymeric material.

14. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a respective spacer element (9) is arranged between two battery cells (2) arranged adjacent to one another, which spacer elements provide electrical insulation between the two battery cells (2) arranged adjacent to one another and furthermore a spacer element (9) is arranged between a battery cell (2) arranged at an end and an end plate (5), which spacer element provides electrical insulation between the battery cell (2) arranged at an end and the end plate (5).

15. A method for producing a battery module according to claim 1.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of battery cells (2) braced with one another are pushed in a direction of a supporting element (12) arranged between the housing (3) and the plurality of battery cells (2) and also opposite the compressing element (11) on the plurality of battery cells (2) until the supporting element (12) makes contact with the housing (3) and then the compressing element (11) is inserted until a defined compression is formed.

17. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells are lithium-ion battery cells (200).

18. The batter module according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface (31) of the housing (3) of the battery module (1) and the bottom surface (21) of the battery cells (2) are respectively cohesively connected to one another in an adhesively bonded manner by adhesive.

19. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein the at least one clamping element (6) is a clamping band (60), and the at least one clamping band (60) is cohesively connected to the end plates (5) in a welded manner.

20. The battery module according to claim 10, wherein the adhesive (8) has thermally conductive additives.