Holding Device for Battery Cells

Abstract

A holding device for battery cells for constructing a high-voltage storage module which can be used for electrically operated motor vehicles is provided. The battery cells, in a P assembly (i.e. interconnected in parallel), are provided with a minimally thin thermal insulating layer and, encased in this way, are brought into direct contact with each other in a self-holding arrangement. The intermediate spaces between the battery cells, which battery cells have been provided with the insulating layer and, encased in this way, have been brought into contact with each other, are preferably filled with a thermally conductive potting compound. The thermally conductive potting compound can additionally have high electrical conductivity and thus, in addition to the heat transfer, can also establish the contacting of the anodes in the P assembly if the anodes are also encased by the potting compound.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A holding device for battery cells, for a high-voltage storage module which is usable in electrically-operated motor vehicles, wherein the battery cells are in a P assembly and are brought into direct contact with each other in a self-holding arrangement, the holding device comprising: a minimally thin thermal insulating layer that encases each of the battery cells.

11. A holding device for battery cells, for a high-voltage storage module which is usable in electrically-operated motor vehicles, wherein the battery cells are in a P assembly and are brought into direct contact with each other in a self-holding arrangement, the holding device comprising: a minimally thin thermal insulating layer that only encases the P assembly.

12. The holding device according to claim 10, wherein interspaces between the battery cells are filled with a thermally conductive potting compound.

13. The holding device according to claim 11, wherein the battery cells are brought into electrical contact via cell casings, and interspaces between the battery cells are filled with a thermally and electrically conductive potting compound.

14. The holding device according to claim 12, wherein the potting compound is simultaneously configured as an adhesive bond between the battery cells and a cooling plate.

15. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the potting compound is simultaneously configured as an adhesive bond between the battery cells and a cooling plate.

16. The holding device according to claim 12, wherein the potting compound has a high thermal conductivity, which is at least close to a thermal conductivity of the battery housing.

17. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the potting compound has a high thermal conductivity, which is at least close to a thermal conductivity of the battery housing.

18. The holding device according to claim 12, wherein the thermally conductive potting compound has a high electrical conductivity and, additionally to heat transfer, is also configured for contact-connection of anodes in the P assembly, wherein the anodes are also encased in the potting compound.

19. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the thermally conductive potting compound has a high electrical conductivity and, additionally to heat transfer, is also configured for contact-connection of anodes in the P assembly, wherein the anodes are also encased in the potting compound.

20. The holding device according to claim 12, wherein, by way of the insulating layer and/or the potting compound, a spacing between adjacent battery cells is reduced to between 0.05 and 0.4 mm.

21. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein, by way of the insulating layer and/or the potting compound, a spacing between adjacent battery cells is reduced to between 0.05 and 0.4 mm.

22. A vehicle comprising a high-voltage store, which comprises the holding device according to claim 10.

23. A vehicle comprising a high-voltage store, which comprises the holding device according to claim 11.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic overhead view and a sectional view of battery cells which are provided with a thin thermal insulating layer, are tightly packed, and the interspaces thereof are filled with a potting compound.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the action of two different potting compounds having different thermal conductivities.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of battery cells, the anodes of which are contact-connected by way of an electrically conductive and thermally conductive potting compound.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of battery cells 1, which are provided with a very thin thermal insulating layer of approximately 0.05 to 0.4 mm (represented by the thin white ring around the black battery housing) and, encased in this manner, are brought into direct contact with one another. Accordingly, the clearance 5 itself between the cells 1 is defined by the thin insulating layer.

[0031] In order to prevent thermal breakdown, and particularly side rupture, interspaces between the cells 1 thus encased, and thereafter “packed” as tightly as possible, are filled with a thermally conductive potting compound 2 (e.g. filling foam, adhesive, resin, etc.). At the same time, the cells 1 are secured to a cooling plate 4 by way of the preferably adhesive potting compound 2.

[0032] The higher the thermal conductivity of the potting compound 2, the better the transfer of heat between the cells. If the thermal conductivity is similar to that of the metal battery housing, heat is then released in a particularly uniform manner to the adjoining cells. Propagation can be suppressed as a result.

[0033] In FIG. 2, short arrows illustrate the conductivity of two different potting compounds 2a and 2b. The left-hand side of FIG. 2 shows a potting compound 2a having a lower thermal conductivity than the potting compound 2b on the right-hand side of FIG. 2.

[0034] The thermally conductive potting compound 2 (2b) should also preferably have a high electrical conductivity. This is illustrated with reference to FIG. 3. The cells 1 are only packed and adhesively bonded in a P assembly (interconnected in parallel). The additionally electrically conductive potting compound 2 (2b) thus executes the contact-connection 3 of anodes in the P assembly. According to a first alternative, the individual cells of the P assembly or, in a second alternative, only the P assembly as a whole (with no individual cell insulating layer) can be provided with the thermal insulating layer.

[0035] In summary, the invention thus relates to a holding device for battery cells 1, for constructing a high-voltage storage module which can be employed for electrically-operated motor vehicles, wherein the battery cells 1, in a P assembly (i.e. interconnected in parallel), are provided with a minimally thin thermal insulating layer and, encased in this manner, are brought into direct contact with each other in a self-holding arrangement. Interspaces between the battery cells 1 which have been provided with the insulating layer and, encased in this manner, are brought into contact with each other, are preferably filled with a thermally conductive potting compound 2. The thermally conductive potting compound 2 can additionally have a high electrical conductivity and thus, additionally to the transfer of heat, can execute the contact-connection of anodes in the P assembly, where the anodes are also encased by the potting compound 2.