Battery Module and High-Voltage Accumulator

Abstract

A battery module is provided for a high-voltage accumulator of an electrically drivable motor vehicle, having one electric storage cell, two plate-shaped frame components which are arranged on the end faces and between which the electric storage cell is arranged, one plate-shaped heat sink with at least one cooling channel system which is connected to the electric storage cells in a thermally conductive manner, one fluid inlet which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system via one first fluid connection, and one fluid outlet which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system via at least one second fluid connection. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are arranged adjacently to a respective plate-shaped frame component remotely from the heat sink. To reduce the assembly complexity associated with the assembly, the battery module has at least one clamping device. The fluid connection having the first connection unit has at least one second connection unit which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system, and the two connection units can be clamped against each other by the clamping device. The second connection unit is arranged adjacently to the respective plate-shaped frame component remotely from the heat sink and is connected to the plate-shaped heat sink at the end face, and the fluid line is connected to at least one of the two connection units via at least one seal.

Claims

1. A battery module for a high-voltage accumulator, comprising: at least one electric storage cell; at least two plate-shaped frame components which are arranged on end faces and between which the at least one electric storage cell is arranged; at least one plate-shaped heat sink with at least one cooling channel system, which is connected to the at least one electric storage cell in a thermally conductive manner; at least one fluid inlet which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system via at least one first fluid connection; and at least one fluid outlet which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system via at least one second fluid connection, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are arranged adjacent to respectively one of the plate-shaped frame components remotely from the heat sink, and wherein at least one of the first and second fluid connections has (i) at least one first connection unit, which is arranged adjacent to the respective plate-shaped frame component remotely from the heat sink and which forms the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet, and, (ii) at least one fluid line which is communicatively connected to the first connection unit, at least one clamping device, wherein the fluid connection comprising the first connection unit has at least one second connection unit which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system, wherein the first and second connection units are clampable against each other by the clamping device, the second connection unit is arranged at the heat sink side adjacent to the respective plate-shaped frame component and is connected to the plate-shaped heat sink at the end face, and the at least one fluid line is connected to at least one of the first and second connection units via at least one seal.

2. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the at least one fluid line is connected by integral bonding to that connection unit to which the fluid line is not connected via the seal.

3. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein both of the first and second connection units are connected, each via a seal, to the fluid line.

4. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid line is guided through a bore arranged on the plate-shaped frame component, wherein an outer diameter of the fluid line is smaller than an inner diameter of the bore.

5. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid line is formed by a bore in the plate-shaped frame component.

6. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet is formed as a lateral exit at the first connection unit, which is arranged transversely to an entrance of the first connection unit which is connectable to the fluid line.

7. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the first and second fluid connections are configured correspondingly, wherein the two first connection units and the two second connection units are produced monolithically with each other, and the two first connection units are clampable against the two second connection units by the same clamping device.

8. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two plate-shaped frame components are configured as module holders, by which the battery module is securable to a housing of the high-voltage accumulator, the fastening of the battery module to the housing being done at least partly by the clamping device.

9. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery module is configured for the high-voltage accumulator of an electrically drivable motor vehicle.

10. A high-voltage accumulator, comprising: at least one battery module for the high-voltage accumulator, the battery module comprising: at least one electric storage cell; at least two plate-shaped frame components which are arranged on end faces and between which the at least one electric storage cell is arranged; at least one plate-shaped heat sink with at least one cooling channel system, which is connected to the at least one electric storage cell in a thermally conductive manner; at least one fluid inlet which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system via at least one first fluid connection; and at least one fluid outlet which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system via at least one second fluid connection, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are arranged adjacent to respectively one of the plate-shaped frame components remotely from the heat sink, and wherein at least one of the first and second fluid connections has (i) at least one first connection unit, which is arranged adjacent to the respective plate-shaped frame component remotely from the heat sink and which forms the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet, and, (ii) at least one fluid line which is communicatively connected to the first connection unit, at least one clamping device, wherein the fluid connection comprising the first connection unit has at least one second connection unit which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system, wherein the first and second connection units are clampable against each other by the clamping device, the second connection unit is arranged at the heat sink side adjacent to the respective plate-shaped frame component and is connected to the plate-shaped heat sink at the end face, and the at least one fluid line is connected to at least one of the first and second connection units via at least one seal.

11. The high-voltage accumulator according to claim 10, wherein the high-voltage accumulator is configured for an electrically drivable motor vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic and perspective detailed representation of an exemplary embodiment for a battery module according to the invention.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the battery module shown in FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 3 is another schematic cross-sectional representation of the battery module shown in FIG. 1.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an installed condition of the battery module shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of an exemplary embodiment for a high-voltage accumulator according to the invention.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a top view of the high-voltage accumulator shown in FIG. 5.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of another exemplary embodiment for a high-voltage accumulator according to the invention.

[0041] In the figures, functionally identical components are given the same reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a schematic and perspective detailed representation of an exemplary embodiment for a battery module 1 according to the invention for a high-voltage accumulator, not otherwise shown, of an electrically drivable motor vehicle.

[0043] The battery module 1 includes several electric storage cells 2 and two plate-shaped frame components 3 which are arranged on the end faces and between which the electric storage cells 2 are arranged, FIG. 1 showing only one frame component 3. Furthermore, the battery module 1 includes a plate-shaped heat sink 4 with a cooling channel system not represented in more detail, which is connected to the electric storage cells 2 in a thermally conductive manner. Furthermore, the battery module 1 includes a fluid inlet 5 which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system via a first fluid connection not shown in FIG. 1, and a fluid outlet opposite the fluid inlet 5 and not visible, which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system via a second fluid connection not shown in FIG. 1. The design of exemplary embodiments of suitable fluid connections can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 4. The fluid inlet 5 and the fluid outlet are arranged adjacent to the depicted plate-shaped frame component 3 remotely from the heat sink 4.

[0044] Both fluid connections are identical in design and each have a first connection unit 6 or 7, which is arranged adjacent to the depicted plate-shaped frame component 3 remotely from the heat sink and which forms the fluid inlet 5 or the fluid outlet, and a fluid line not shown in FIG. 1 which is communicatively connected to the first connection unit 6 or 7. Furthermore, the fluid connections each include a second connection unit 8 or 9 which is arranged at the heat sink side adjacent to the depicted plate-shaped frame component 3 and communicatively connected to the cooling channel system and to the heat sink 4 at the end face. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, both the two first connection units 6 and 7 and the two second connection units 8 and 9 are produced monolithically with each other. The connection components 10 and 11 are formed in this way. Each fluid connection comprises a seal, not shown, in the form of an axial seal via which the respective fluid line is connected to the respective first connection unit 6 or 7. One end of the respective fluid line is connected by integral bonding to the respective second connection unit 8 or 9. The fluid lines are guided through bores arranged on the plate-shaped frame component 3, not shown, wherein an outer diameter of the respective fluid line is smaller than an inner diameter of the respective bore. The fluid inlet 5 and the fluid outlet are each formed as a lateral exit at the respective first connection unit 6 or 7, which is arranged transversely to an entrance of the respective first connection unit 6 or 7, not shown, which is connectable to the respective fluid line.

[0045] The battery module 1 furthermore comprises a clamping device, not shown, which includes a clamping screw and a threaded bore arranged on the connection component 11, as shown in FIG. 2. On the connection component 10 there is arranged a bore 12, through which the clamping screw can be guided. The connection components 10 and 11 are clamped against each other by means of a single clamping device, so that the first connection units 6 and 7 can be clamped against the second connection units 8 and 9 by a common clamping device.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional representation of the battery module 1 shown in FIG. 1. One can see a section of the cooling channel system 13 of the plate-shaped heat sink 4. Furthermore, the fluid outlet 14 formed by the first connection unit 7 can be seen. Each fluid connection 15 or 16 comprises a fluid line 17 or 18, which are communicatively connected to the respective first connection unit 6 or 7 via a seal 19 or 20 in each case. Each seal 19 or 20 comprises an axial sealing element 21 or 22, fashioned as a sealing ring. Each first connection unit 6 or 7 has a female connection geometry and each fluid line 17 or 18 has a male connection geometry in the region of the respective seal 19 or 20. One end of the respective fluid line 17 or 18 is connected by integral bonding to the respective second connection unit 8 or 9. The fluid lines 17 and 18 are guided through bores 23 and 24 arranged on the plate-shaped frame component 3, wherein an outer diameter of the respective fluid line 17 or 18 is smaller than an inner diameter of the respective bore 23 or 24. In this way, thermally insulating annular gaps 25 and 26 containing air are formed between the fluid lines 17 and 18 and the plate-shaped frame component 3. The fluid inlet 5 and the fluid outlet 14 are each formed as a lateral exit at the respective first connection unit 6 or 7, which is arranged transversely to an entrance 27 or 28 of the respective first connection unit 6 or 7 which is connectable to the respective fluid line 17 or 18.

[0047] The clamping device 29 includes a clamping screw 30 and a threaded bore 31 arranged on the connection component 11. The clamping screw 30 is guided through the bore 12 arranged on the connection component 10 and through a bore 32 arranged on the plate-shaped frame component 3.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows another cross-sectional representation of the battery module 1 shown in FIG. 1 in the region of the fluid connection 15. In particular, the connection between the second connection unit 8 and the cooling channel system 13 can be better seen.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an installed condition of the battery module 1 shown in FIG. 1. During the assembly of the battery module 1, the subassembly made up of electric storage cells 2 and module frame, of which only the frame component 3 can be seen, can be produced in a traditional manufacturing process. After this, on the cleaned plate-shaped heat sink 4 with the second connection units 8 and 9 soldered on it, or with the connection component 11 soldered on it, on which the fluid lines 17 and 18 are already arranged, a one-sided self-adhesive HV insulating film can be applied, whose surface can be cleaned and activated if need be in a next step. Then, on this surface of the HV insulating film there can be applied a thermally conductive casting compound 42, on which in turn an adhesive can be applied. Alternatively, the thermally conductive casting compound can already possess an adhesive function, so that a separate adhesive is not necessary. Afterwards, the structural unit as described above can be lifted in a centering jig in the vertical direction onto the subassembly made up of electric storage cells 2 and module frame and pressed together with it. Alternatively or in addition, the subassembly can be lifted in the vertical direction onto the structural unit and pressed, as indicated in FIG. 4 by the arrow 33. During this manufacturing process, one should ensure by the layout of the bores 23 and 24 on the plate-shaped frame component 3 in regard to tolerances that occur that the fluid lines 17 and 18 find their way securely and by themselves through the plate-shaped frame component 3.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of an exemplary embodiment for a high-voltage accumulator 34 according to the invention for an electrically drivable motor vehicle in the region of a battery module 1. The high-voltage accumulator 34 includes several battery modules 1, of which only one is shown in FIG. 5, and a housing 35. The design of the battery modules 1 can basically correspond to the design shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. In contrast with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the plate-shaped frame components 3 are configured as module holders, by which the respective battery module 1 is secured to the housing 35 of the high-voltage accumulator 34. The securing of the battery module 1 to the housing 35 is done partly through the common clamping device 29. On the other side of each battery module 1, two corresponding clamping devices 29 are used for the securing of the battery module to the housing 35, as shown in FIG. 6. On the connection component 11 of each battery module 1 there is arranged a through bore 36 instead of the threaded bore. Threaded bores 38 are arranged on shoulders 37 of the housing 35, into which the clamping screws 30 are screwed. The height of the plate-shaped frame component 3 shown at the right side in FIG. 5 is reduced by the height of the connection component 11 as compared to the height of the plate-shaped frame component 3 shown at the left.

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the high-voltage accumulator 34 shown in FIG. 5. One can see that the battery module 1 is secured by means of the clamping devices 29 through a three-point screw system to the housing 35.

[0052] FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of another exemplary embodiment for a high-voltage accumulator 34 according to the invention in the region of a battery module 1. In this sample embodiment as well, the plate-shaped frame components 3 are configured as module holders corresponding to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. A significant difference from the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is that both connection units 6 and 8 or 7 and 9 of a fluid connection 15 or 16 are connected each via a seal 19 or 20 and 39 to the respective fluid line 17 or 18. The seals 39 also each comprise an axial sealing element 40. Furthermore, the fluid lines 17 and 18 are formed by bores 41 on the plate-shaped frame component 3. Otherwise, the battery module 1 can be designed according to the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS:

[0053] 1 battery module [0054] 2 storage cells [0055] 3 frame component [0056] 4 heat sink [0057] 5 fluid inlet [0058] 6 first connection unit [0059] 7 first connection unit [0060] 8 second connection unit [0061] 9 second connection unit [0062] 10 connection component [0063] 11 connection component [0064] 12 bore [0065] 13 cooling channel system [0066] 14 fluid outlet [0067] 15 fluid connection [0068] 16 fluid connection [0069] 17 fluid line [0070] 18 fluid line [0071] 19 seal [0072] 20 seal [0073] 21 axial sealing element [0074] 22 axial sealing element [0075] 23 bore [0076] 24 bore [0077] 25 annular gap [0078] 26 annular gap [0079] 27 entrance [0080] 28 entrance [0081] 29 clamping device [0082] 30 clamping screw [0083] 31 threaded bore [0084] 32 bore [0085] 33 arrow [0086] 34 high-voltage accumulator [0087] 35 housing [0088] 36 through bore [0089] 37 shoulder [0090] 38 threaded bore [0091] 39 seal [0092] 40 axial sealing element [0093] 41 bore [0094] 42 thermally conductive casting compound

[0095] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.