Battery module

Abstract

A battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells (2), in particular lithium-ion battery cells (20), which are received in a receptacle space (11) of the battery module (1), wherein the battery module (1) has a temperature-regulating plate (5) configured for regulating the temperature of the plurality of battery cells (2), said temperature-regulating plate furthermore forming a receptacle element (6) that receives a housing element (10) of the battery module (1) in such a way that the receptacle space (11) is closed off vis-à-vis the surroundings (12) of the battery module (1), wherein the housing element (10) is connected to the temperature-regulating plate (5) in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner by means of a securing element (8) formed by the temperature-regulating plate (5).

Claims

1. A battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells (2) received in a receptacle space (11) of the battery module (1), the battery module (1) comprising a temperature-regulating plate (5) configured for regulating the temperature of the plurality of battery cells (2), said temperature-regulating plate furthermore forming a groove (7) that receives a projection (16) of a housing element (10) of the battery module (1) in such a way that the receptacle space (11) is closed off with respect to surroundings (12) of the battery module (1), wherein the projection (16) extends around a circumference of the housing element (10), wherein the housing element (10) is connected to the temperature-regulating plate (5) in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner by a securing element (8) formed by the temperature-regulating plate (5), wherein the groove (7) extends around a periphery of the temperature-regulating plate (5), and wherein the securing element (8) is a plastically deformable spring element (17) that is folded over the projection (16) to retain the projection (16) of the housing element (10) within the groove (7) to thereby retain the temperature-regulating plate (5) against the housing element (10).

2. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing element (13) between the temperature-regulating plate (5) and the housing element (10).

3. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature-regulating plate (5) forms a flow space (25) through which temperature-regulating fluid can flow.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that the temperature-regulating plate (5) comprises a first plate element (23) and a second plate element (24), which are cohesively connected to one another to form the flow space (25).

5. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that the temperature-regulating plate (5) has a first connection (91) configured for temperature-regulating fluid to flow into the flow space (25) and a second connection (92) configured for temperature-regulating fluid to flow out of the flow space (25), wherein the first connection (91) and the second connection (92) are sealed with respect to the housing element (10).

6. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of battery cells (2) is arranged directly on the temperature-regulating plate (5).

7. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of battery cells (2) is connected to the temperature-regulating plate (5) cohesively.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of battery cells (2) is connected to the temperature-regulating plate (5) in an adhesively bonded manner.

9. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature-regulating plate (5) forms a base (22) of the battery module (1).

10. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the securing element (8) is one of a plurality of securing elements (8) formed by the temperature-regulating plate (5), and wherein the plurality of securing elements (8) are plastically deformable spring elements (17), characterized in that the plurality of securing elements (8) engage more than half of an outermost circumference of the housing element (10) to connect the housing element (10) to the temperature-regulating plate (5) in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner.

11. The battery module according to claim 10, wherein the outermost circumference of the housing element (10) is approximately rectangular, and wherein the plurality of securing elements (8) engage each of four sides of the approximately rectangular outermost circumference of the housing element (10).

12. The battery module according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of securing elements (8) are plastically deformed to follow a contour of the housing element (10).

13. A battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells (2) received in a receptacle space (11) of the battery module (1), the battery module (1) comprising a temperature-regulating plate (5) configured for regulating the temperature of the plurality of battery cells (2), said temperature-regulating plate furthermore forming a groove (7) that receives a housing element (10) of the battery module (1) in such a way that the receptacle space (11) is closed off with respect to surroundings (12) of the battery module (1), characterized in that a plurality of securing elements (8) formed by the temperature-regulating plate (5) are folded over a portion of the housing element (10) to engage more than half of an outermost circumference of the housing element (10) to retain the housing element (10) in the groove (7) of the temperature-regulating plate (5) in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner, wherein the plurality of securing elements (8) are plastically deformable spring elements (7) that are plastically deformed to follow a contour of the housing element (10).

14. The battery module according to claim 13, wherein the outermost circumference of the housing element (10) is approximately rectangular, and wherein the plurality of securing elements (8) engage each of four sides of the approximately rectangular outermost circumference of the housing element (10).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in greater detail in the following description.

(2) In the figures:

(3) FIG. 1 shows an excerpt from a battery module according to the invention without a housing element,

(4) FIG. 2 shows a battery module according to the invention in a perspective exploded illustration,

(5) FIG. 3 shows a battery module according to the invention in a perspective view,

(6) FIG. 4 shows, in a sectional view, a connection between the housing element and the securing element from a battery module according to the invention,

(7) FIG. 5 shows, in a sectional view, a further connection between the housing element and the securing element of a battery module according to the invention,

(8) FIG. 6 shows a sectional view through the first connection or the second connection of the temperature-regulating plate of a battery module according to the invention, and

(9) FIG. 7 shows temperature-regulating plate of a battery module according to the invention in a perspective exploded illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIG. 1 shows a battery module 1, wherein a housing element of the battery module 1 is not discernible.

(11) The battery module 1 has a plurality of battery cells 2.

(12) The battery cells 2 are each embodied here in particular as lithium-ion battery cells 20.

(13) By way of example, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, the battery cells 2 are embodied as prismatic battery cells 200.

(14) Furthermore, the battery cells 2, 20, 200 each have voltage taps 3, by means of which the plurality of battery cells 2 can be electrically interconnected in series and/or in parallel by means of cell connectors, not shown in FIG. 1.

(15) Furthermore, the battery cells 2, 20, 200 additionally also have gas venting openings 4, which serve to allow gas to escape from the interior of the battery cells 2 particularly in safety-critical situations.

(16) Furthermore, FIG. 1 also shows that the battery module 1 has a temperature-regulating plate 5. In this case, the temperature-regulating plate 5 is configured to regulate the temperature of the plurality of battery cells 2.

(17) Furthermore, the temperature-regulating plate 5 forms a receptacle element 6 configured to receive a housing element of the battery module 1, said housing element not being discernible in FIG. 1.

(18) In accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention as shown in the figures, the receptacle element 6 of the temperature-regulating plate 5 is embodied here as a groove 7.

(19) In particular, FIG. 1 shows here that the receptacle element 6 of the temperature-regulating plate 5 that is embodied as a groove 7 can be arranged circumferentially on a top side 80 of the temperature-regulating plate 5 facing the battery cells 2.

(20) It should already be noted at this juncture that the temperature-regulating plate 5 forms securing elements 8 configured to connect a housing element, not discernible in FIG. 1, to the temperature-regulating plate 5 in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner.

(21) Furthermore, the temperature-regulating plate 5 forms a first connection 91 and a second connection 92. In this case, the first connection 91 is configured to the effect that temperature-regulating fluid can flow into a flow space of the temperature-regulating plate 5.

(22) In this case, the second connection 92 is configured to the effect that temperature-regulating fluid can flow out of the flow space of the temperature-regulating plate 5.

(23) FIG. 1 also reveals that the plurality of battery cells 2 are arranged directly at the temperature-regulating plate 5.

(24) Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the battery cells 2 to be connected to the temperature-regulating plate 5 cohesively, such as preferably in an adhesively bonded manner, for example. As a result, it is possible to form a reliable heat transfer between the temperature-regulating plate 5 and the battery cells 2.

(25) FIG. 2 shows a battery module 1 according to the invention in an exploded illustration.

(26) In contrast to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 furthermore also shows a housing element 10 of the battery module 1.

(27) In this case, the housing element 10 can be received by the receptacle element 6 of the temperature-regulating plate 5 in such a way that a receptacle space 11 is formed, which receives the plurality of battery cells 2.

(28) After the housing element 10 has been received by the receptacle element 6 of the temperature-regulating plate 5, the receptacle space 11 is closed off vis-à-vis the surroundings 12 of the battery module 1.

(29) In this case, the housing element 10 can be connected to the temperature-regulating plate 5 in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner by means of the securing elements 8 formed by the temperature-regulating plate 5, although this will also be described with reference to the further figures.

(30) Furthermore, it is already evident from FIG. 2 that a sealing element 13 can furthermore be arranged between the temperature-regulating plate 5 and the housing element 10 of the battery module 1.

(31) In accordance with the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2, the sealing element 13 is embodied here as an insert part 14.

(32) FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the battery module 1 in an assembled state; in particular, the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 corresponds to the battery module 1 shown in an exploded illustration in FIG. 2.

(33) At this juncture, in association with FIG. 3, it should also be pointed out that the securing elements 8 formed by the temperature-regulating plate 5 connect the housing element 10 to the temperature-regulating plate 5 in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner.

(34) Furthermore, FIG. 3 reveals that the battery module 1 has electrical connections 15 led out from the housing element 10, said electrical connections serving for tapping of the voltage of the battery module 1.

(35) It is evident in particular from the illustration in FIG. 3 that the temperature-regulating plate 5 forms a base 22 of the battery module 1.

(36) In this case, a base 22 should be understood to mean that part of the battery module 1 which, given a customary arrangement of the battery module 1, is arranged at an underside of the battery module 1 and by which the battery module 1 stands on a support, for example.

(37) FIG. 4 shows, in a sectional view, a connection of the housing element 10 to the temperature-regulating plate 5.

(38) In this case, it is evident that the receptacle element 6 of the temperature-regulating plate 5 is embodied as a groove 7.

(39) Furthermore, the housing element 10 forms a projection 16 configured to engage into the groove 7 of the temperature-regulating plate 5.

(40) After the projection 16 of the housing element 10 has engaged into the groove 7 of the temperature-regulating plate 5, the housing element 10 is secured in the receptacle element 6 of the temperature-regulating plate 5 that is embodied as a groove 7.

(41) To that end, the temperature-regulating plate 5 forms securing elements 8, which are embodied as elastically and/or plastically deformable spring elements 17 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4.

(42) In this case, it is possible, for example, for engagement of the projection 16 of the housing element 10 into the groove 7 of the temperature-regulating plate 5 to result in the spring element 17 being elastically deformed and securing the housing element 10 in the groove after the engagement. Such a connection can for example also be understood as a clip connection.

(43) Furthermore, it is also possible for the spring element 17 to be plastically deformed from a first position into a second position after the engagement of the projection 16 of the housing element 10 into the groove 7 of the temperature-regulating plate 5, such that when the spring element 17 is arranged in a second position, the housing element 10 is secured in the groove 7. In particular, FIG. 4 shows here an arrangement of the spring element 17 plastically deformed in the second position.

(44) At this juncture, it should also be noted in this respect that FIG. 4 also shows the sealing element 13 embodied as an insert part 14, said sealing element being arranged between the temperature-regulating plate 5 and the housing element 10 of the battery module 1.

(45) FIG. 5 shows, in a further sectional view, the connection of the housing element 10 to the temperature-regulating plate 5.

(46) In particular, it should also be noted in this respect that the housing element 10 can also comprise supporting elements 18, which can provide for increasing the stability of the connection between the housing element 10 and the temperature-regulating plate 5.

(47) In this case, it is furthermore evident from FIG. 5 that securing elements 8 are not arranged circumferentially at the temperature-regulating plate 5, but rather can have interruptions 19, wherein the spacer elements 18 are arranged in the region of the interruptions 19.

(48) FIG. 6 shows, in a sectional view, in particular the first connection 91 or the second connection 92.

(49) As already noted, the first connection 91 is configured for temperature-regulating fluid to flow into the flow space of the temperature-regulating plate 5 and the second connection 92 is configured for temperature-regulating fluid to flow out of the flow space.

(50) In this case, FIG. 6 reveals that the first connection 91 and respectively the second connection 92 are sealed with respect to the housing element 10 by means of a sealing element 21.

(51) In this case, the connection 91 and respectively the second connection 92 need only be sealed with respect to the housing element 10, with the interior of the battery module 1 and respectively the receptacle space 11 thus being sealed vis-à-vis the surroundings.

(52) FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a temperature-regulating plate 5 of a battery module 1 according to the invention in an exploded illustration.

(53) In this case, FIG. 7 firstly shows that the temperature-regulating plate 5 comprises a first plate element 23 and a second plate element 24.

(54) In this case, the first plate element 23 and the second plate element 24 can be connected to one another to form a flow space 25.

(55) Preferably, in this case, the first plate element 23 and the second plate element 24 can be cohesively connected to one another.

(56) In this case, temperature-regulating fluid can flow through the flow space 25.

(57) Furthermore, FIG. 7 also shows that, for example, the second plate element 24 forms supporting elements 26 that are used to the effect that the first plate element 23 and the second plate element 24 can be connected to one another to form the flow space 25.

(58) In this case, the first plate element 23 and the second plate element 24 can be connected to one another for example cohesively, such as preferably in a soldered or else welded manner.

(59) Furthermore, the first connection 91 and the second connection 92 are also discernible.

(60) In this case, the first connection 91 and respectively the second connection 92 comprise the sealing element 21.

(61) Furthermore, FIG. 7 also reveals the top side 80, at which is arranged the plurality of battery cells 2, as is evident from FIG. 1.

(62) Furthermore, FIG. 7 also shows the securing elements 8 embodied as spring elements 17 embodied in elastically and/or plastically deformable fashion.

(63) Moreover, the receptacle element 6 arranged circumferentially at the temperature-regulating plate 5 is also discernible, said receptacle element being embodied as a groove 7.