Abstract:
A vehicle drive battery arrangement, having: two sets of battery cells with a fan device configured therebetween, positioned behind a vehicle seat.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation and claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. DE 102012200982.5 titled “Drive Battery Arrangement and Motor Vehicle Having a Drive Battery Arrangement” filed Jan. 24, 2012, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a drive battery arrangement for a motor vehicle and cooling methods for the same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Motor vehicles having a battery electric drive or a hybrid drive (i.e., a hybrid electric vehicle) require drive batteries that are able to absorb a considerable amount of energy. It is generally desirable to cool the drive batteries due to the heat that arises when charging and/or discharging the drive batteries. For this purpose, a plurality of fans can be provided that generate an air flow through the drive batteries and/or through or along its battery cells. Generally, a plurality of drive batteries or battery modules is provided in a motor vehicle having an electric or hybrid drive. Fans on the outer end of the battery pack require additional packaging space for each fan. This space takes away from other vehicle components or storage areas (e.g., the trunk or spare tire). 
         [0004]    Therefore it is desirable to have a multiple fan cooling device for a battery pack with more streamlined packaging and simpler installation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure addresses one or more of the above-mentioned issues. Other features and/or advantages will become apparent from the description which follows. 
         [0006]    One advantage of the present disclosure is that it provides a drive battery arrangement for a motor vehicle having an electric drive or a hybrid drive with increased packaging. 
         [0007]    One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a drive battery arrangement for a motor vehicle having a hybrid drive, including: at least two drive batteries; and a fan device configured to cool the drive batteries. The fan device is arranged between the at least two drive batteries. 
         [0008]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle having a hybrid drive, including: a drive battery arrangement with at least two drive batteries; and a fan device arranged between the at least two drive batteries and configured to cool the drive batteries. 
         [0009]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle drive battery arrangement, having: two sets of battery cells with a fan device configured therebetween, positioned behind a vehicle seat. 
         [0010]    The invention will be explained in greater detail below by way of example with reference to the figures, in which the same reference numbers are used in the figures for identical or essentially identical elements. The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the figures: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle battery pack with cooling fans according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the battery pack of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the vehicle battery pack of  FIG. 1  on top of a floor sheet metal plate. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters represent examples of the same or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle drive battery arrangement (or vehicle battery pack) for use with a hybrid electric or all electric vehicles. The battery pack includes a fan device that has multiple fans configured between battery modules so as to reduce the required packaging space for the fans. Other electronic devices, such as an electric assembly are cooled by the fan device. The disclosed vehicle drive battery arrangement is configured for use in any type of vehicle, including sedans, coupes, SUVs or pick-up trucks. 
         [0015]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a drive battery arrangement  1  includes two drive batteries  2 ,  3  that each includes a plurality of cells  4 . The two drive batteries,  2 ,  3  are arranged at mutually-spaced dispositions with respect to each other. There is an intermediate space between the drive batteries  2 ,  3  that receives a fan device  5 . The fan device  5  comprises two fans  6 ,  7 , air collectors  8 ,  9  and exhaust air ducts  10 ,  11 . The air collector  8  is used to draw air, in a uniform manner, through the cells  4  of the first drive battery  2 . Air flow is directed through the air inlet  12  and the air supply duct  13  and the air distributor  14 . Air is delivered to the cells  4  of the drive battery  2 . The air that is heated as it flows through the cells  4 , drawn in by way of the air collector  8  into the fan  7 , and passes from the fan into the exhaust air duct  10 . 
         [0016]    In order to cool drive battery  3 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , air is drawn by the fan  6  through the cells of the drive battery  3 . Cooling air is directed through an air inlet  15 , air supply duct  16  and air distributor  17 . Air is delivered to the cells of the second drive battery  3  and is guided through the air collector  9  into the fan  6 . The air supply ducts  13 ,  16  can each be embodied differently according to structural conditions when they are installed in the motor vehicle. The air drawn in by the fan  6  passes into the exhaust air duct  11 . The exhaust air ducts  10 ,  11  form an outlet duct  18  on one side and an outlet duct  19  on an opposite side. 
         [0017]    An electronic control device  20  and a DC-converter  21  are arranged below the first drive battery  2  and can include, in each case, a dedicated housing having corresponding internal air ducts. The air distributor  14  and the air collector  8  are embodied in such a manner that, by means of an additional air duct  22 , cooling air is directed to the control device  20  and to the DC-converter  21 . The air that is drawn in by the fan  7  in order to cool the electronic assemblies of the control device  20  and the DC-converter  21  likewise passes into the exhaust air duct  10 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates in detail air flow through the fan device, a drive battery  3  having air ducts, the control device  20 , the DC-converter  21  and other components or air ducts. The arrows shown indicate a direction of flow of the air that is drawn in by fans  6 ,  7  through the drive batteries. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , an air duct flap  23 ,  24  is arranged in the exhaust air ducts  10 ,  11 , respectively. When the air duct flaps  23 ,  24  are in the position as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , air flow is directed to a first outlet duct  18  that is formed by a first end of the exhaust air ducts  10 ,  11  and through which the air flow passes, for example, into a vehicle passenger compartment where it is distributed (as indicated by the wide arrows  25 ,  26 ). When air duct flaps  23 ,  24  are in another position not illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the air flow is directed to the outlet duct  19  that is formed by an end of the exhaust air ducts  10 ,  11  and through which the air flow can pass, for example, into a storage space or to the outside of the vehicle (as indicated in  FIG. 2  by arrows  27 ,  28 ). The air duct flaps  23 ,  24  can also assume an intermediate position, whereby air flow can be divided between the first outlet duct and the second outlet duct. For this purpose, it is also possible to provide a different position and/or to actuate the duct flaps  23 ,  24  independently of each other. 
         [0019]    Now turning to  FIG. 3 , which illustrates an exemplary installation of the drive battery arrangement  1  in a vehicle  100 . The drive batteries  2 ,  3  and the fan device  5  are arranged partially above a floor sheet metal plate  29  of the storage space. In a front region (on the left side in  FIG. 3 ) of the floor sheet metal plate  29 , this can extend under a rear row of seats in the motor vehicle, e.g.,  110 . The control device  20  and the DC-converter  21  are completely arranged below the floor sheet metal plate  29 . As a consequence, it is possible to make particularly good use of the available installation space, in particular of the space between a subframe and the floor sheet metal plate  29 . 
         [0020]    As is evident in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , the drive battery arrangement  1  is embodied in two layers. Drive batteries  2 ,  3  have the allocated air ducts and the fan device  5  form an upper layer  30 , whereas the electronic assemblies, such as the control device  20  and the DC-converter  21 , that are allocated to the drive battery arrangement  1  form a lower layer  31 . The upper and the lower layer  30 ,  31 , respectively are separated by a horizontal intermediate plane  32 . The lower layer  31  and the intermediate plane  32  are arranged in the installation situation illustrated in  FIG. 3 , below the floor sheet metal plate  29 , whereas the upper layer  30  is placed partially below and partially above the floor sheet metal plate  29 . 
         [0021]    Other arrangements for the battery pack can be effectuated. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the fan device is arranged between the least two drive batteries. In particular, the fan device is arranged centrally within the drive battery arrangement and is surrounded at least on two sides by at least two drive batteries. In the event that the drive battery arrangement comprises only two drive batteries, the fan device is consequently arranged between the two drive batteries. 
         [0022]    By virtue of the fact that the fan device is arranged between the drive batteries, a particularly compact and space-saving arrangement is produced, while simultaneously ensuring that any heat arising during operation is discharged. As a consequence, it is rendered possible to make better use of the space available in a motor vehicle for installing the drive battery arrangement. In particular, owing to the compact design of the battery arrangement, the battery arrangement can be installed in a motor vehicle in a lower position and consequently between the side frames of the motor vehicle. As a consequence, a central installation position of the drive batteries can be achieved with a greater packaging disposition with respect to the wheel arch sheet metal plates. It is possible in this manner to reduce the complexity of the body work; in addition, additional components for providing protection in the event of a collision can possibly be omitted. As a consequence, the overall complexity of the motor vehicle is reduced, as are weight and manufacturing costs. Finally, it is possible to make better use of the storage space volume and to attach lashing straps in an improved manner. 
         [0023]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive battery arrangement comprises a control unit of the drive battery arrangement, a DC-converter (DC/DC converter) and/or a storage control switching arrangement. In addition, the two drive batteries are arranged in an upper position or layer of the drive battery arrangement, in particular in an upper plane of the drive battery arrangement and the electronic assembly is arranged in a lower layer or plane of the drive battery arrangement, e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1 . The electronic assemblies allocated to the drive battery arrangement generally require a comparatively smaller amount of installation space than the drive batteries themselves. By virtue of the fact that the electronic assembly is arranged in the lower layer and/or plane and consequently in a space region below the drive batteries, it is possible to make better use of the installation space available for the drive battery arrangement, in particular the space between the rear subframe and the storage space floor of the motor vehicle. 
         [0024]    In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive battery arrangement has two drive batteries, where the electronic assembly is arranged below only one of the drive batteries. The electronic assembly is consequently placed below the drive battery that is arranged on a side of the fan device. As a consequence, a further more compact arrangement is possible. 
         [0025]    In an advantageous manner, a switching flap in order to switch between the first outlet duct and the second outlet duct can be provided; the switching flap can also include intermediate positions for dividing the air flow between the two outlet ducts. The switching flap can be actuated in a manual, pneumatic, electric or other manner and can, for example, be automatically switched within the scope of an automatic air-conditioning system in order to heat the motor vehicle passenger compartment. In particular, an exhaust air duct can be allocated to each fan, which exhaust air duct leads into the first outlet duct and into the second outlet duct, and a switching flap that is arranged in the exhaust air duct. As a consequence, it is rendered possible in a particularly simple and effective manner to accordingly use as required the heat contained in the air. 
         [0026]    A motor vehicle in accordance with one embodiment has a battery electric drive or hybrid drive with a drive battery arrangement that is embodied as described above. In particular, the drive battery arrangement is installed behind a rear row of seats in the motor vehicle between the side frames of the motor vehicle and above a subframe and at least partially below a storage space floor plane, in particular below a floor sheet metal plate of the storage space. As a consequence, it is rendered possible to accommodate the battery arrangement within the motor vehicle in a particularly reliable manner where the battery arrangement is, in particular, especially well protected against a lateral collision. In addition, it is consequently rendered possible to use the available installation space particularly well and to considerably avoid a reduction in the storage space volume. Finally, the air-conditioning facility is improved by virtue of the available air that has been heated as the batteries are cooled. 
         [0027]    In another advantageous manner, the electronic assembly can be arranged below the drive battery on a right hand side or on a left hand side of the motor vehicle. By virtue of the asymmetric arrangement of the electronic assembly, i.e. offset to one side, the installation space below the drive battery or drive batteries, arranged on the respective other side of the motor vehicle, is available for other devices of the motor vehicle, such as for example, for routing exhaust gas pipes or other lines. 
         [0028]    Those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.