ENERGY STORAGE ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

An energy storage assembly for a motor vehicle, including a traction battery for storing electrical energy. A flexible pressure element, which is filled with gas or liquid is disposed on the outside of the traction battery or on the inside of a covering component for the traction battery, the gas or the liquid is contained at atmospheric pressure within the flexible pressure element. A pressure sensor is connected to the flexible pressure element, and by which collision-induced pressure fluctuations in the flexible pressure element can be sensed.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. An energy storage assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a traction battery for storing fuel or electrical energy; a flexible pressure element which is filled with gas or liquid and which is arranged on the outside of traction battery or on the inside of a covering component for the traction battery; wherein the gas or the liquid is contained at atmospheric pressure within the flexible pressure element; and a pressure sensor which is connected to the flexible pressure element, and by which collision-induced pressure fluctuations in the flexible pressure element can be sensed.

12. The energy storage assembly of claim 11, wherein the flexible pressure element is designed as a pressure pad.

13. The energy storage assembly of claim 12, wherein the pressure pad has a maximum thickness of 10 mm.

14. The energy storage assembly of claim 12, wherein the pressure pad is segmented and has several chambers filled with gas or liquid, a pressure sensor being provided for each chamber.

15. The energy storage assembly of claim 11, wherein the flexible pressure element has at least one pressure compensation valve for pressure compensation with the environment.

16. The energy storage assembly of claim 11, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged directly on the flexible pressure element.

17. The energy storage assembly of claim 11, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged at a distance from the flexible pressure element and is connected to the flexible pressure element via a line.

18. The energy storage assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a control device which is designed to automatically evaluate the measured values of the pressure sensor and to initiate at least one protective measure in the event of a collision.

19. The energy storage assembly of claim 11, wherein the energy storage assembly is part of a motor vehicle with an electric drive.

20. The energy storage assembly of claim 12, wherein the pressure pad is segmented and has several chambers filled with gas or liquid, a pressure sensor being provided for each chamber.

21. The energy storage assembly of claim 12, wherein the flexible pressure element has at least one pressure compensation valve for pressure compensation with the environment.

22. The energy storage assembly of claim 13, wherein the flexible pressure element has at least one pressure compensation valve for pressure compensation with the environment.

23. The energy storage assembly of claim 14, wherein the flexible pressure element has at least one pressure compensation valve for pressure compensation with the environment.

24. The energy storage assembly of claim 12, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged directly on the flexible pressure element.

25. The energy storage assembly of claim 13, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged directly on the flexible pressure element.

26. The energy storage assembly of claim 14, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged directly on the flexible pressure element.

27. The energy storage assembly of claim 15, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged directly on the flexible pressure element.

28. The energy storage assembly of claim 12, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged at a distance from the flexible pressure element and is connected to the flexible pressure element via a line.

29. The energy storage assembly of claim 13, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged at a distance from the flexible pressure element and is connected to the flexible pressure element via a line.

30. The energy storage assembly of claim 14, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged at a distance from the flexible pressure element and is connected to the flexible pressure element via a line.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to figures. The features shown in the figures and/or the features explained below can be general features of the invention, even independently of specific combinations of features, and develop the invention accordingly.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view (not to scale) of a first preferred embodiment of an energy storage assembly according to the invention for a motor vehicle, with a pressure tank as the energy storage device.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view (not to scale) of a second preferred embodiment of an energy storage assembly according to the invention for a motor vehicle, with a pressure tank as the energy storage device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The energy storage assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a pressure tank 110 with a rigid tank wall and a flexible pressure element 140 designed as a pressure pad. The pressure tank 110 can be formed in a known manner with a liner (inner sheath) and a fiber sheathing (outer sheath). The flexible pressure element 140 is arranged on the outside of the pressure tank 110, so that the pressure tank 110 is completely covered, at least in portions, in the cylindrical region that is particularly at risk of damage. The flexible pressure element 140 enclosing the pressure tank 110 has two chambers 141, 142, which are each filled with gas, in particular air, or liquid, it also being possible for more than two chambers to be provided. The flexible pressure element or pressure pad 140 can be detachably fastened to the pressure tank 110 with clamps, tensioning straps or the like.

[0031] When a force F acts as a result of a collision, which is typically an impact load, pressure fluctuations are generated in at least one of the chambers 141, 142 (as explained above). These pressure fluctuations can be sensed or measured using the pressure sensors 151, 152 connected via lines 161, 162, whereupon at least one protective measure can be initiated. The pressure sensors 151, 152 are arranged at appropriate points in the vicinity of the pressure tank 110 and connected to a control device, not shown. (The pressure sensors 151, 152 can be connected to the control device via a vehicle-side bus system, for example a CAN bus.) The flexible pressure element 140, designed as a pressure pad, enables comprehensive and complete detection of the effects of force F on the pressure tank 110. The chambers 141, 142 and the pressure sensors 151, 152 assigned to these chambers 141, 142 also enable at least an approximate localization of the force F.

[0032] The energy storage assembly 100 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a traction battery 120 with a rigid housing and battery cells arranged therein, and a covering component 130, it also being possible for a plurality of covering components to be provided. The covering component 130 is, for example, an underride protection. On the inside of the covering component 130, which faces the traction battery 120, there is a flexible pressure element 140 designed as a pressure pad, which is filled with gas, in particular air, or liquid. (The pressure pad 140 may also have multiple chambers.) The pressure pad 140 may be bonded to the inside of the cover member 130.

[0033] A pressure sensor 150 is arranged directly on the pressure pad 140 and is fastened to the covering component 130. (The pressure sensor 150 can also be arranged at a distance from the pressure pad 140 and connected to the pressure pad 140 by means of a line.) The pressure fluctuations occurring when a critical force F acts on the covering component 130 in the flexible pressure element or pressure pad 140 can be sensed or measured using the pressure sensor 150, whereupon at least one protective measure can be initiated.