Rechargeable battery pack, machining system and method for producing a rechargeable battery pack

Abstract

A rechargeable battery pack supplies electrical drive power to an electrically driven machining device. The rechargeable battery pack has: a plurality of rechargeable battery cells, wherein the rechargeable battery cells each have cell contacts; a housing, wherein the rechargeable battery cells are arranged within the housing; and a potting compound, wherein the potting compound protects the cell contacts from contact with water from outside the housing. The housing has a housing top part and a housing bottom part. The housing bottom part overlaps the housing top part such that the housing top part defines an outer region and an inner region of the housing bottom part for the potting compound. A casting level of the potting compound in the outer region is above a casting level of the potting compound in the inner region.

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery pack for supplying electrical drive power to an electrically driven machining device, comprising: a plurality of rechargeable battery cells, wherein the rechargeable battery cells each have cell contacts; a housing, wherein the rechargeable battery cells are arranged within the housing; and a potting compound, wherein the potting compound protects the cell contacts from contact with water from outside the housing, wherein the housing has a housing top part and a housing bottom part, the housing top part is arranged above the housing bottom part, the housing bottom part overlaps the housing top part such that the housing top part defines an outer region and an inner region of the housing bottom part for the potting compound, and a casting level of the potting compound in the outer region is above a casting level of the potting compound in the inner region.

2. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a feed opening, the feed opening is configured for feeding the potting compound into the housing, and the feed opening is below the casting level of the potting compound.

3. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the feed opening is arranged on a bottom side of the housing.

4. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising: at least one closure body, wherein the at least one closure body is configured to close the feed opening.

5. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 4, further comprising: a feed valve, wherein the feed valve has the feed opening and the at least one closure body.

6. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery cells each have a gas outlet point, wherein the gas outlet points of the cells are above the casting level of the potting compound.

7. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery cells are entirely above the casting level of the potting compound.

8. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery cells are round cells.

9. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the housing top part is gas-tight.

10. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: an opening of the housing top part faces the housing bottom part, an opening of the housing bottom part faces the housing top part, the housing top part and the housing bottom part are closed by one another, the potting compound in the inner region reaches as far as an end of the housing top part that is adjacent to the housing bottom part, and the potting compound in the outer region reaches up to above an end of the housing top part that is adjacent to the housing bottom part.

11. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the potting compound forms a potting block in the outer region and in the inner region.

12. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising: a measuring and/or power electronics system, wherein the measuring and/or power electronics system is electrically connected to a plurality of the cell contacts, and the measuring and/or power electronics system is within the housing below the casting level of the potting compound.

13. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of rechargeable battery pack contacts, wherein the rechargeable battery pack contacts are configured for electrically connecting the rechargeable battery pack and the machining device to one another for supplying electrical drive power from the rechargeable battery pack to the machining device and are arranged below the casting level of the potting compound.

14. A machining system, comprising: rechargeable battery pack according to claim 1; and an electrically driven machining device, wherein the rechargeable battery pack and the machining device are configured to be electrically connected to one another for supplying electrical drive power from the rechargeable battery pack to the machining device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and aspects of the invention can be found in the claims and the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention which are explained below with reference to the figures.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a sectional view through a rechargeable battery pack according to the invention without potting compound and a method according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through a rechargeable battery pack of FIG. 1 having potting compound and the method according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a machining system according to the invention having the rechargeable battery pack of FIG. 1 and an electrically driven machining device in the form of a saw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(5) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a rechargeable battery pack 1 for supplying electrical drive power AL to an electrically driven machining device 101 and a method for producing the rechargeable battery pack 1 for supplying electrical drive power AL to the electrically driven machining device 101.

(6) The rechargeable battery pack 1 has a plurality of rechargeable battery cells 21, a housing 80 and a potting compound 90. The rechargeable battery cells 21 each have cell contacts 22. Furthermore, the rechargeable battery cells 21 are arranged within the housing 80. The potting compound 90 protects the cell contacts 22 from contact with water from outside the housing 80. The housing 80 has a housing top part 81 and a housing bottom part 82. The housing bottom part 82 overlaps the housing top part 81 in such a way that the housing top part 81 defines an outer region 82A and an inner region 82I of the housing bottom part 82 for the potting compound 90. A casting level H90A of the potting compound 90 in the outer region 82A is above a casting level H90I of the potting compound 90 in the inner region 82I, in particular in a vertical direction z.

(7) The method comprises the steps of:

(8) a) arranging the plurality of rechargeable battery cells 21, wherein the rechargeable battery cells 21 each have the cell contacts 22, within the housing 80, wherein the housing has the housing top part 81 and the housing bottom part 82, wherein the housing bottom part 82 overlaps the housing top part 81 in such a way that the housing top part 81 defines the outer region 82A and the inner region 82I of the housing bottom part 82 for the potting compound 90; b) feeding the potting compound 90 in such a way that the casting level H90A of the potting compound 90 in the outer region 82A is above the casting level H90I of the potting compound 90 in the inner region 82I, so that the potting compound 90 protects the cell contacts 22 from contact with water from outside the housing 80.

(9) Additionally, a) arranging the plurality of rechargeable battery cells 21, wherein the rechargeable battery cells 21 each have the cell contacts 22, within the housing 80, wherein the housing 80 has a feed opening 83, wherein the feed opening 83 is designed for feeding the potting compound 90 into the housing 80; b) feeding the potting compound 90 at least temporarily, the entire time in the exemplary embodiment shown, against the force of gravity in such a way that the feed opening 83 is below the casting level H90I, H90A of the potting compound 90, in particular against the vertical direction z, so that the potting compound 90 protects the cell contacts 22 from contact with water from outside the housing 80.

(10) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the rechargeable battery pack 1 has three rechargeable battery cells 21. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the rechargeable battery pack can have two or at least four rechargeable battery cells.

(11) Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the housing 80, in particular the housing top part 81, protects the cell contacts 22 from contact with water from outside the housing 80.

(12) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the potting compound 90 is also electrically insulating.

(13) Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the housing top part 81 is arranged above the housing bottom part 82, in particular in the vertical direction z.

(14) In addition, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the outside of the housing bottom part 82 overlaps the inside of the housing top part 81 in the vertical direction z. In particular, the outer region 82A has an, in particular closed, annular shape.

(15) In the exemplary embodiment shown, step b) also comprises: feeding the potting compound 90 in a liquid state. Additionally, the method comprises the step of: curing the potting compound 90 into a solid state.

(16) Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the housing 80, in particular a point of overlap, point of separation or interface between the housing top part 81 and the housing bottom part 82, is sealed off by the potting compound 90, and the housing top part 81 and the housing bottom part 82 are mechanically connected to one another by the potting compound 90.

(17) Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment shown, air escapes from the housing bottom part 82, in particular the outer region 82A, to the outside, in particular upwards or in the vertical direction z, while feeding the potting compound 90 into the housing 80, in particular the housing bottom part 82.

(18) Specifically, the housing bottom part 82 has the feed opening 83. The feed opening 83 is designed for feeding the potting compound 90 into the housing bottom part 82.

(19) In particular, the feed opening 83 is arranged on a bottom side 80U of the housing 80, in particular on a bottom side 82U of the housing bottom part 82.

(20) The rechargeable battery pack 1 further has at least one closure body 84. The at least one closure body 84 is designed for closing the feed opening 83, in particular closes the feed opening 83.

(21) Specifically, the rechargeable battery pack 1 has a feed valve 85. The feed valve 85 has the feed opening 83 and the at least one closure body 84.

(22) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the feed valve 85 is a self-closing valve 85′, in particular a diaphragm valve 85″, in particular a cross-slot diaphragm valve.

(23) In addition, the rechargeable battery cells 21 each have a gas outlet point 23, in particular a safety valve 23′. The gas outlet points 23 are in particular arranged, in particular within the housing top part 81, above the casting level H90I, H90A of the potting compound 90, in particular in the inner region 82I, in particular in the vertical direction z.

(24) Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the gas outlet points 23 are not enclosed by the potting compound 90.

(25) Furthermore, the rechargeable battery cells 21 are completely, in particular within the housing top part 81, above the casting level H90I, H90A of the potting compound 90, in particular in the inner region 82I, in particular in the vertical direction z.

(26) Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the rechargeable battery cells 21 are not enclosed by the potting compound 90.

(27) The rechargeable battery cells 21 are also, in particular elongate, round cells 21′.

(28) In alternative exemplary embodiments, the rechargeable battery cells can be pouch cells and the cell contacts can be cell tabs.

(29) In the exemplary embodiment shown, a cell contact 22 of a respective one of the round cells 21′ has the gas outlet point 23.

(30) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the round cells 21′ are further each arranged, by way of a round cell longitudinal axis, in a horizontal direction x which is orthogonal to the vertical direction z.

(31) In addition, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the rechargeable battery cells 21, in particular the round cells 21′, are connected in series, in particular in the vertical direction z.

(32) Furthermore, the housing top part 81, in particular a wall 81W of the housing top part 81, is gas-tight.

(33) Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, air cannot escape from the housing top part 81 to the outside, in particular upwards or in the vertical direction z, while feeding the potting compound 90 into the housing 80, in particular the housing bottom part 82.

(34) An opening 81O of the housing top part 81 also faces the housing bottom part 82, in particular downwards.

(35) In addition, an opening 82O of the housing bottom part 82 faces the housing top part 81, in particular upwards.

(36) In addition, the housing top part 81 and the housing bottom part 82 are closed by one another.

(37) In addition, the potting compound 90 in the inner region 82I reaches as far as an end 81E of the housing top part 81 that is adjacent to the housing bottom part 82, in particular upwards or in the vertical direction z.

(38) In addition, the potting compound 90 in the outer region 82A reaches up to above the adjacent end 81E of the housing top part 81, in particular as far as an end 82E of the housing bottom part 82 that is adjacent to the housing top part 81, in particular upwards or in the vertical direction z.

(39) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the housing top part 81 has a bell shape. The opening 81O of the housing top part 81 is a bell-shaped opening.

(40) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the housing bottom part 82 further has a cup shape. The opening 82O of the housing bottom part 82 is a cup-shaped opening.

(41) In addition, in the exemplary embodiment shown, in step b), and in particular during curing, the housing top part 81, by way of the opening 81O, is oriented downwards, in particular such that the potting compound 90 cannot rise in the housing top part 81 against the force of gravity or from bottom to top or in the vertical direction z.

(42) Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, in step b), and in particular during curing, the housing bottom part 82, by way of the opening 82O, is oriented upwards, in particular such that the potting compound 90 in the liquid state cannot flow out of the housing bottom part 82.

(43) The potting compound 90 also forms a potting block 91 in the outer region 82A and in the inner region 82I.

(44) The rechargeable battery pack 1 further has a measuring and/or power electronics system 70. The measuring and/or power electronics system 70 is electrically connected to a plurality of the cell contacts 22. In addition, the measuring and/or power electronics system 70 within the housing 80, in particular the housing bottom part 82, is below the casting level H90I, H90A of the potting compound 90, in particular against the vertical direction z.

(45) Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the measuring and/or power electronics system 70 is enclosed by the potting compound 90.

(46) Furthermore, the rechargeable battery pack 1 has a plurality of rechargeable battery pack contacts 71. The rechargeable battery pack contacts 71 are designed for electrically connecting the rechargeable battery pack 1 and the machining device 101 to one another for supplying the electrical drive power AL from the rechargeable battery pack 1 to the machining device 101. The rechargeable battery pack contacts 71 are also arranged below the casting level H90I, H90A of the potting compound 90, in particular against the vertical direction z.

(47) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the rechargeable battery pack contacts 71 are arranged on the bottom side 80U of the housing 80, in particular on the bottom side 82U of the housing bottom part 82.

(48) FIG. 3 shows a machining system 100 according to the invention. The machining system 100 has the rechargeable battery pack 1 and an electrically driven machining device 101. The rechargeable battery pack 1 and the machining device 101 are designed to be electrically connected to one another for supplying electrical drive power AL from the rechargeable battery pack 1 to the machining device 101, in particular are electrically connected.

(49) Specifically, the machining device 101 has a rechargeable battery receptacle 102. The rechargeable battery receptacle 102 is designed for receiving the rechargeable battery pack 1. In particular, the rechargeable battery pack 1 is received.

(50) In FIG. 3, the electrically driven machining device 101 is a saw. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the machining device may be a pole-mounted pruner, a brushcutter, a hedge trimmer, a hedge cutter, a blower device, a leaf blower, a lopper, an angle grinder, a sweeping device, a sweeping roller, a sweeping brush, a lawnmower, a scarifier or a grass trimmer.

(51) As is clear from the exemplary embodiments shown and explained above, the invention provides a rechargeable battery pack for supplying electrical drive power to an electrically driven machining device, a machining system having a rechargeable battery pack of this kind and an electrically driven machining device, and a method for producing a rechargeable battery pack for supplying electrical drive power to an electrically driven machining device, wherein the rechargeable battery pack and the method each have improved properties.