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 and furthermore a first temperature-control element is thermally conductively connected to in each case one side surface of the plurality of battery cells, and 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, the housing comprises a second temperature-control element directly adjacent to the bottom surfaces of the plurality of battery cells, and a compressing element and/or a supporting element is arranged between the housing and the plurality of battery cells in the longitudinal direction of the battery module.

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) and furthermore a first temperature-control element (130) is thermally conductively connected to in each case one side surface (23) of the plurality of battery cells (2), and 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, and the housing (3) comprises a second temperature-control element (13) directly adjacent to the bottom surfaces (21) of the plurality of battery cells (2), 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).

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first temperature-control element (130) is in the form of an electrical temperature-control element.

3. 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 the compressing element (11) has two contact surfaces (111, 112) that are arranged at an angle (113) of at least four degrees with respect to one another.

4. 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).

5. 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).

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

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

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the second temperature-control element (13) is in the form of a temperature-control chamber through which temperature-control fluid can flow.

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

10. The battery module according to claim 9, 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), and the first temperature-control element (130) is connected to the clamping element (6).

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

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 5, wherein a respective spacer element (9) is arranged between two battery cells (2) arranged adjacent to one another and a spacer element (9) is arranged between an end plate (5) and a battery cell (2) arranged at an end.

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) 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 battery cells (2, 20) are lithium-ion battery cells (200).

18. The battery 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 an adhesive.

19. The battery module according to claim 10, wherein the at least one clamping element (6) is a clamping band (60), and the first temperature-control element (130) is thermally conductively and mechanically connected to the clamping band (60), wherein 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 11, wherein the adhesive (8) has thermally conductive additives.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in greater detail in the following description.

[0045] In the drawings:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows an exploded illustration of a plurality of battery cells,

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the plurality of battery cells in accordance with FIG. 1.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a battery module according to the invention from the side.

[0049] FIG. 4a shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the battery module according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 3 from above,

[0050] FIG. 4b shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the battery module according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 3 from above,

[0051] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a supporting element,

[0052] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a compressing element, and

[0053] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a housing of the battery module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] FIG. 1 shows an exploded illustration of a plurality of battery cells 2, preferably 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.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the plurality of battery cells 2, preferably braced with one another, in accordance with FIG. 1. Therefore, FIGS. 1 and 2 should be described together in the text which follows.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] In addition, a respective spacer element 9 is arranged between 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.

[0060] In addition, said figure shows that a first temperature-control element 130 is thermally conductively connected to in each case one side surface 23 of the plurality of battery cells 2. In particular, the first temperature-control element 130 is arranged on the clamping element 6.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a battery module 1 according to the invention from the side.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] Here, the housing 3 of the battery module 1 comprises a second temperature-control element 13 directly adjacent to the bottom surfaces 21 of the battery cells 2.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] In addition, said figure shows battery cells 20 arranged at an end.

[0068] Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows the above-described primary thermal path, in which heat is transferred from the plurality of battery cells 2 to the bottom surface 31 of the housing 3 of the battery module 1 and then to the second temperature-control element 13 via the cohesive connection during operation.

[0069] FIG. 4a shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the battery module 1 according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 3 from above.

[0070] FIG. 4a shows that the battery module 1 preferably has two compressing elements 11.

[0071] Furthermore, FIG. 4a shows the above-described first secondary thermal path, in which heat is transferred from the plurality of battery cells 2 to the clamping element 6 via the cohesive connection formed in an adhesively bonded manner during operation for the purpose of removing heat. Furthermore, said heat is transferred to the housing 3 of the battery module 1 via the end plates 5 and furthermore the compressing elements 11 or the supporting element 12.

[0072] In particular, said figure also shows the flow of heat from the battery cell 20 arranged at an end.

[0073] FIG. 4b shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the battery module 1 according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 3 from above.

[0074] FIG. 4b initially shows the above-described second primary thermal path, in which heat is transferred from the first temperature-control element 130 to the plurality of battery cells 2 via the clamping element 6 and the cohesive connection formed in an adhesively bonded manner during operation for heating purposes.

[0075] Furthermore, FIG. 4b shows, in contrast to FIG. 4a, the above-described second secondary thermal path, in which heat is transmitted from the plurality of battery cells 2 to the clamping element 6 via the cohesive connection formed in an adhesively bonded manner during operation for heating purposes. Furthermore, said heat is transferred to the housing 3 of the battery module 1 via the end plates 5 and furthermore the compressing elements 11 or the supporting element 12.

[0076] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a supporting element 12.

[0077] 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.

[0078] Furthermore, the supporting element 12 has at least one opening 123. Said opening 123 serves to ensure thermal decoupling. This has the advantage that thermal insulation can be achieved owing to the resulting air gap between the end plate 5 and the housing 3.

[0079] The supporting element 12 further has respectively recessed surfaces 124 which reliably form a spacing both from the end plate 5 and from the housing 3 and as a result ensure thermal decoupling. Here, the recessed surfaces 124 can be configured in any desired manner, for example can comprise a curve shape. Furthermore, said figure shows that the contact surface 121 and the contact surface 122 are arranged offset in relation to one another, and therefore the flow of heat within the supporting element 12 is deflected and in this way has to cover a longer distance, as a result of which the thermal resistance of the supporting element 12 is considerably increased.

[0080] Overall, the contact area between the spacer element 12 and the housing 3 and also between the spacer element 12 and the end plate 5 is reduced to a minimum in such a way that mechanical forces can still be reliably transferred and at the same time good thermal insulation is formed between the housing 3 and the respective end plate 5.

[0081] The supporting element 12 further comprises at least one contact surface 125, which is formed on a lower side of the supporting element 12, in order to make contact with the bottom surface 31 of the housing 3. This contact area 125 is also reduced.

[0082] At this point, it should be noted that the supporting element 12 is preferably formed from a polymeric material. A supporting element of this kind has, overall, a very low thermal conductivity and can have a thermally insulating action as a result. In particular, a high thermal resistance can be formed in conjunction with the spacer surfaces 121, 122 arranged in an offset manner.

[0083] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a compressing element 11.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] The compressing element 11 further has respectively offset surfaces 114 which reliably form a spacing both from the end plate 5 and from the housing 3 and as a result ensure thermal decoupling. Here, the recessed surfaces 114 can be configured in any desired manner, for example can comprise a curve shape. Furthermore, said figure shows that the contact surface 111 and the contact surface 112 are arranged offset in relation to one another, and therefore the flow of heat within the compressing element 11 is deflected and in this way has to cover a longer distance, as a result of which the thermal resistance of the compressing element 11 is considerably increased.

[0087] Overall, the contact area between the compressing element 11 and the housing 3 and also between the compressing element 11 and the end plate 5 is reduced to a minimum in such a way that mechanical forces can still be reliably transferred and at the same time thermal insulation is formed between the housing 3 and the respective end plate 5.

[0088] The pressing element 11 further comprises a contact surface 115, which is formed on a lower side of the supporting element 12, in order to make contact with the bottom surface 31 of the housing 3. This contact area is also reduced.

[0089] At this point, it should be noted that the compressing element 11 is preferably formed from a polymeric material. A compressing element of this kind has, overall, a very low thermal conductivity and can have a thermally insulating action as a result. In particular, a high thermal resistance can be formed in conjunction with the spacer surfaces 111, 112 arranged in an offset manner.

[0090] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a housing 3 of the battery module 1.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.