Battery having a temperature control structure and use of such a battery

Abstract

A battery comprising a first housing element (2) and a second housing element (3) that jointly form an inner chamber (5) for receiving a battery module (10), wherein the second housing element (3) forms a second temperature control structure (102) on a face that is facing the inner chamber (5) and in particular is facing the first housing element (2), and a cover element (100) is connected to the second housing element (3) in such a manner that a temperature-controlling fluid receiving device (112) through which temperature-controlling fluid can flow is delimited by the cover element (100) in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the inner chamber (5) and the second temperature control structure (102) is embodied in such a manner that the temperature-controlling fluid can flow around it.

Claims

1. A battery comprising a first housing element (2) and a second housing element (3) that jointly form an inner chamber (5) for receiving a battery module (10), wherein a plurality of battery cells (6) of the battery module (10) that are interconnected to one another in series and/or parallel in an electrically conductive manner are arranged in the inner chamber (5), wherein a first element (8) of a battery control system is arranged in the inner chamber (5), wherein the first housing element (2) forms a first temperature control structure (101) on a face that is opposite from the inner chamber (5), the first temperature control structure (101) including a plurality of first projections extending from the face that is opposite from the inner chamber (5), wherein the second housing element (3) forms a second temperature control structure (102) on a face that is facing the inner chamber (5), the second temperature control structure (102) including a plurality of second projections extending from the face that is facing the inner chamber (5), and wherein a cover element (100) is connected to the second housing element (3) in such a manner that a temperature-controlling fluid receiving device (112) through which temperature-controlling fluid can flow is delimited by the cover element (100) in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the inner chamber (5), and the second temperature control structure (102) is configured such a manner that the temperature-controlling fluid can flow around the plurality of second projections.

2. The battery according to the claim 1, characterized in that the first element (8) of the battery control system is arranged in a thermally conductive manner on a face of the cover element (100) that is facing the inner chamber (5).

3. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that a second element (9) of the battery control system is arranged in a thermally conductive manner on a face of the second housing element (3) that is remote from the inner chamber (5).

4. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the first element (8) of the battery control system comprises at least one electrical component (80) and/or at least one electronic component (81) of the battery module (10).

5. The battery according to claim 4, characterized in that the electrical component (80) of the battery module (10) is a cell connector (82) and/or a conductor (83) and/or that the electronic component (81) of the battery module (10) is a switch, a safety element, a battery control system and/or a resistance.

6. The battery according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one electronic component (81) is integrated into a printed circuit board (90).

7. The battery according to claim 3, characterized in that the second element (9) of the battery control system is an electrical voltage converter (91).

8. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover element (100) is embodied in a planar manner from a metal or that the cover element (100) comprises a molded shape (110) for receiving the first element (8) of the battery control system.

9. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of battery cells (6) is arranged in a thermally conductive manner with a first inner face of the inner chamber (5) arranged directly adjacent to the first temperature control structure (101).

10. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the first housing element (2) and/or the second housing element (3) are each embodied as a die-cast housing (20, 30).

11. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the first housing element (2) and the second housing element (3) are embodied in a fluid-tight manner connected to one another.

12. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that a further cover element (14) is connected to the first housing element (2) in such a manner that a further temperature-controlling fluid receiving device (111) through which temperature-controlling fluid can flow is delimited by the further cover element (14) in a fluid-tight manner with respect to an environment, and the first temperature control structure (101) is configured such that the temperature-controlling fluid can flow around the first projections.

13. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery comprises a first connection (151), which is embodied so as to convey temperature-controlling fluid to the battery, and a second connection (152) that is embodied so as to convey temperature-controlling fluid away from the battery (1), wherein the battery comprises temperature-controlling fluid guides (153) that are configured such that temperature-controlling fluid can flow through the temperature-controlling fluid receiving device (112) and the further temperature-controlling fluid receiving device (111) in series or parallel.

14. The battery as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of first projections of the first temperature control structure (101) and/or the plurality of second projections of the second temperature control structure (102) includes flow-conducting elements (121), flow-disturbing elements (122) or flow-delimiting elements (123).

15. A battery comprising a first housing element (2) and a second housing element (3) that jointly form an inner chamber (5) for receiving a battery module (10), wherein a plurality of battery cells (6) of the battery module (10) that are interconnected to one another in series and/or parallel in an electrically conductive manner are arranged in the inner chamber (5), wherein the battery cells (6) are embodied in a prismatic manner and furthermore a first element (8) of a battery control system is arranged in the inner chamber (5), wherein the first housing element (2) forms a first temperature control structure (101) on a face that is opposite from the inner chamber (5) and is remote from the second housing element (3), the first temperature control structure (101) including a plurality of first projections extending from the face that is opposite from the inner chamber (5), wherein the second housing element (3) forms a second temperature control structure (102) on a face that is facing the inner chamber (5) and is facing the first housing element (2), the second temperature control structure (102) including a plurality of second projections extending from the face that is facing the inner chamber (5), and wherein a cover element (100) is connected to the second housing element (3) in such a manner that a temperature-controlling fluid receiving device (112) through which temperature-controlling fluid can flow is delimited by the cover element (100) in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the inner chamber (5), and the second temperature control structure (102) is configured such a manner that the temperature-controlling fluid can flow around the plurality of second projections.

16. The battery according to claim 15, characterized in that a second element (9) of the battery control system is arranged in a thermally conductive manner on a face of the second housing element (3) that is remote from the inner chamber (5) and is remote from the first housing element (2).

17. The battery according to claim 16, characterized in that the second element (9) of the battery control system is a DC converter (92).

18. The battery according to claim 15, characterized in that the first housing element (2) and the second housing element (3) are embodied in a fluid-tight manner connected to one another, wherein a sealing element (131) is arranged between the first housing element (2) and the second housing element (3).

19. A method of using a battery (1) as claimed in claim 1 for controlling the temperature and for reducing the temperature of the plurality of battery cells (6), of the electrical component (8), wherein a temperature-controlling fluid that is in the form of a temperature-controlling liquid or a temperature-controlling gas flows around the plurality of first projections and wherein the temperature-controlling fluid that is in the form of a temperature-controlling liquid flows through the temperature-controlling fluid receiving device (112).

20. The battery of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first projections includes a plurality of first flow-disturbing elements configured to increase turbulence of a flow and a first flow-conducting element configured to guide the flow in a U-shaped path, and wherein the plurality of second projections includes a plurality of second flow-disturbing elements configured to increase turbulence of a temperature-controlling fluid and a second flow-conducting element configured to guide the temperature-controlling fluid in a U-shaped path.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and further explained in the description below.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a battery in accordance with the invention,

(4) FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the embodiment of a battery in accordance with FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a lower face of a second housing element,

(6) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an upper face of the second housing element in accordance with FIG. 3,

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a lower face of a second housing element with a cover element,

(8) FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a section of a battery in accordance with the invention,

(9) FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an upper face of a first housing element and

(10) FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a lower face of a first housing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a battery 1 in accordance with the invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of this embodiment in accordance with the invention of the battery 1 in accordance with FIG. 1. The FIGS. 1 and 2 are now to be described jointly.

(12) The battery 1 comprises a first housing element 2 and a second housing element 3. In accordance with the embodiment of the battery 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first housing element 2 is embodied as a die-cast housing 20 and the second housing element 3 is embodied as a die-cast housing 30.

(13) The first housing element 2 and the second housing element 3 jointly form an inner chamber 5 for receiving a battery module 10. The inner chamber 5 and the battery module 10 are apparent in particular in the sectional view in accordance with FIG. 2. In particular, the first housing element 2 and the second housing element 3 are embodied in a fluid-tight manner connected to one another. For this purpose, a sealing element 131 is arranged between the first housing element 2 and the second housing element 3. In particular, the first housing element 2 and the second housing 3 can also be connected to one another by means of screws in order to provide a reliable mechanical connection.

(14) A plurality of battery cells 6 is received in the inner chamber 5. The plurality of battery cells 6 of the battery module 10 is in this case interconnected to one another in series and/or parallel in an electrically conductive manner. It is preferred that the plurality of battery cells 6 is embodied in each case as prismatic battery cells 60 as is for example apparent in FIG. 2.

(15) The second housing element 3 forms a second temperature control structure 102 on a face that faces the inner chamber 5. In particular, the second temperature control structure 102 is arranged facing the first housing element 2.

(16) Furthermore, the battery 1 comprises a cover element 100 that is connected to the second housing element 3 in such a manner that a temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 112 through which temperature-controlling fluid can flow is delimited by the cover element 100 in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the inner chamber 5. Furthermore, the second temperature control structure 102 is embodied in such a manner that temperature-controlling fluid can flow around it.

(17) In this case, the cover element 100 comprises in accordance with the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a molded shape 110 for receiving a first element 8 of the battery control system.

(18) Furthermore, it is also possible to embody the cover element 100 in a planar manner from metal.

(19) Furthermore, a first element 8 of a battery control system is arranged in the inner chamber 5. The first element 8 of the battery control system is in this case arranged in a thermally conductive manner on a face of the cover element 100 that is facing the inner chamber 5.

(20) The first element 8 of the battery control system can comprise for example an electrical component 80 of the battery module 10 and/or an electronic component 81 of the battery module 10. For example, the electrical components 80 can be cell connectors 82 that interconnect the plurality of battery cells 6, 60 to one another in series and/or parallel in an electrically conductive manner. Furthermore, the electrical components 8 can be conductors 83 that convey electrical current. For example, the electronic components 81 of the battery module 6 can be switches, safety elements, battery control systems and/or resistances. It is particularly preferred that the electronic components 81, such as is apparent from FIG. 2, are integrated at least in part into a printed circuit board.

(21) The first housing element 2 embodies a first temperature control structure 101 on a face that is remote from the inner chamber 5. In particular, in the case of the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2, the first temperature control structure 101 is arranged on a face of the first housing element 2 that is remote from the second housing element 3. Furthermore, FIG. 2 also illustrates that a further cover element 14 is arranged on the first housing element 2. In this case, the cover element 14 and the first housing element 2 jointly form a further temperature-controlling fluid received device 111 through which temperature-controlling fluid can flow. The first temperature control structure 101 is in this case arranged within the further temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 111. In particular, the cover element 14 can be connected in a material-bonded manner to the first housing element 2. In this case, it is further preferred that a sealing element 132 can be arranged between the first housing element 2 and the cover element 14.

(22) In this case, it is apparent from FIG. 2 that the plurality of battery cells 6 is arranged in a thermally conductive manner with a first inner face of the inner chamber 5 that is arranged directly adjacent to the first temperature control structure 101.

(23) Furthermore, FIG. 1 illustrates in particular that the battery 1 comprises a first connection 151 and a second connection 152. The first connection 151 is in this case embodied so as to convey temperature-controlling fluid to the battery 1 and the second connection 152 is embodied in this case so as to convey temperature-controlling fluid out of the battery 1. In this case, the temperature-controlling fluid can flow through the battery 1 and in particular through the temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 111 and the temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 112 in series or parallel.

(24) Furthermore, the battery module comprises a second element 9 of the battery control system. The second element 9 of the battery control system is in this case arranged in a thermally conductive manner on a face of the second housing element 3 that is remote from the inner chamber 5 and in particular is remote from the first housing element 2.

(25) In particular, the second element 9 of the battery control system can be an electrical voltage converter 91, such as in particular a DC converter 92.

(26) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a lower face of a second housing element 3 in accordance with the invention. In this case, the temperature-controlling fluid inlet 161 of the second housing element 3 is apparent, said temperature-controlling fluid inlet being embodied so as to allow temperature-controlling fluid to pass into the temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 112. Furthermore, the temperature-controlling fluid outlet 162 of the second housing element 3 is apparent in this case. The second temperature-controlling fluid outlet 162 is embodied so as to allow temperature-controlling fluid to flow out of the temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 112.

(27) It is to be noted at this point that the temperature-controlling fluid inlet 161 can also form the first connection 151 of the battery 1 or can be connected to the first connection 151 in a fluid-conducting manner or that the temperature-controlling fluid outlet 162 can also form the second connection 152 of the battery 1 or can be connected to the second connection 152 in a fluid-conducting manner.

(28) Furthermore, FIG. 3 also illustrates that the second housing element 3 comprises the second temperature control structure 102. The second temperature control structure 102 can comprise in this case flow-conducting elements 121 that are embodied so as to delimit the receiving device 112 in such a manner that the temperature-controlling fluid is guided accordingly. Furthermore, the second temperature control structure 102 can comprise in this case flow-disturbing elements 122 that are embodied so as to increase the turbulence of the temperature-controlling fluid that is flowing through the temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 112. Moreover, the second temperature control structure 102 can also comprise flow-delimiting elements 123 that delimit the temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 112 in a fluid-tight manner.

(29) A flow guide within the temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 112 is represented schematically by means of the illustrated arrows. In particular, the flow guide is U-shaped.

(30) It is to be noted at this early point that the cover element 100 is arranged in such a manner that the temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 112 is sealed in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the inner chamber 5. In particular, the cover element 100 can be connected in this case for example in a material-bonded manner to the second housing element 3.

(31) FIG. 4 illustrates in a perspective view an upper face of the second housing element 3 in accordance with FIG. 3. In particular, the temperature-controlling fluid inlet 161 of the second housing element 3 and the temperature-controlling fluid outlet 162 of the second housing element 3 are also illustrated in this figure.

(32) It is to be particularly noted at this point that the second element 9 of the battery control system, for example the electrical voltage converter 91 or in particular the DC converter 92 can be arranged directly on the illustrated upper face in a thermally conductive manner. For this purpose, the second housing element 3 can comprise for example screw connection points 125.

(33) FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a lower face of a second housing element 3 in accordance with the invention having a cover element 100. In particular, the configuration of the second housing element 3 corresponds to the configuration in accordance with FIG. 3. The cover element 100 is in this case connected to the second housing element 3 in such a manner that the cover element 100 delimits the temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 112 in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the inner chamber 5. In accordance with FIG. 5, the cover element 100 is embodied from a metal material. Furthermore, the cover element 100 comprises a molded shape 110. The molded shape 110 is embodied in this case so as to receive the first element 8 of the battery control system, such as is for example also apparent in FIG. 2.

(34) FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a section of a battery 1 in accordance with the invention.

(35) The second housing element 3 is illustrated in this figure. Furthermore, the first element 8 of the battery control system is apparent, said first element comprising an electronic component 81. In this case, the electronic component 81 is integrated into a printed circuit board 90.

(36) Furthermore, it is apparent that the first element 8 of the battery control system is arranged on a face of the cover element 100 that is facing the inner chamber 5.

(37) Moreover, FIG. 6 also illustrates the second element 9 of the battery control system, said second element being arranged in a thermally conductive manner on a face of the second housing element 3 that is remote from the inner chamber 5. In this case, the second element 9 of the battery control system is embodied in particular as a DC converter 92.

(38) In this case, the second element 9 of the battery control system can be connected to the second housing element 3 for example by means of screw connection points 125 that are illustrated in FIG. 4.

(39) FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an upper face of a first housing element 2. In this case, in particular the inner chamber 5 is apparent, said inner chamber receiving the plurality of battery cells 6 that are not apparent in the FIG. 7. Furthermore, this figure illustrates the temperature-controlling fluid guides 153 that are embodied within the first housing element 2. The temperature-controlling fluid guides 153 are embodied so as to connect a temperature-controlling fluid inlet of the housing element to the temperature-controlling fluid outlet of the other housing element in a fluid-tight manner with the result that it is possible to realize a parallel or in series throughflow.

(40) FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a lower face of the first housing element 2 in accordance with FIG. 7. In this case, in particular the first temperature control structure 101 is apparent, said temperature control structure being arranged on a face of the first housing element that is remote from the inner chamber 5. In addition, this figure illustrates the temperature-controlling fluid inlet 163 of the further temperature-controlling fluid receiving device 111 and the temperature-controlling fluid outlet 164 of the further temperature-controlling fluid receiving deice 111. The first temperature control structure 101 is embodied in this case as flow-conducting elements 121, as flow-disturbing elements 122 or as flow-delimiting elements 123. It is to be noted at this point that a further cover element 14 that is not apparent in FIG. 8 is connected to the first housing element 2 in such a manner that the further cover element 14 delimits the further temperature-controlling fluid receiving device in a fluid-tight manner with respect to an environment.